Compositions comprising gougerotin and an insecticide

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a composition comprising isolated gougerotin and at least one insecticide in a synergistically effective amount, with the proviso that the insecticide is not gougerotin. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of this composition as well as a method for reducing overall damage of plants and plant parts.

The present invention relates to a composition comprising gougerotin andat least one insecticide in a synergistically effective amount, with theproviso that the insecticide is not gougerotin. Furthermore, the presentinvention relates to the use of this composition as well as a method forreducing overall damage of plants and plant parts.

Synthetic insecticides or fungicides often are non-specific andtherefore can act on organisms other than the target ones, includingother naturally occurring beneficial organisms. Because of theirchemical nature, they may be also toxic and non-biodegradable. Consumersworldwide are increasingly conscious of the potential environmental andhealth problems associated with the residuals of chemicals, particularlyin food products. This has resulted in growing consumer pressure toreduce the use or at least the quantity of chemical (i. e. synthetic)pesticides. Thus, there is a need to manage food chain requirementswhile still allowing effective pest control.

A further problem arising with the use of synthetic insecticides orfungicides is that the repeated and exclusive application of aninsecticide or fungicides often leads to selection of resistantmicroorganisms. Normally, such strains are also cross-resistant againstother active ingredients having the same mode of action. An effectivecontrol of the pathogens with said active compounds is then not possibleany longer. However, active ingredients having new mechanisms of actionare difficult and expensive to develop.

The risk of resistance development in pathogen populations as well asenvironmental and human health concerns have fostered interest inidentifying alternatives to synthetic insecticides and fungicides formanaging plant diseases. The use of biological control agents (BCAs) isone alternative. In some cases the effectiveness of BCAs is not at thesame level as for conventional insecticides and fungicides, especiallyin case of severe infection pressure. Consequently, in somecircumstances, biological control agents, their mutants and metabolitesproduced by them are, in particular in low application rates, notentirely satisfactory.

Thus, there is a constant need for developing new, alternative plantprotection agents which in some areas at least help to fulfill theabove-mentioned requirements.

WO 2009/037242 A2 relates to a fungicidal composition of one of twospecific fungicidal bacterial strains, namely Bacillus subtilis andBacillus pumilus, and a synthetic fungicide for controllingphytopathogenic harmful fungi. However, the control of insects is notmentioned at all.

WO 2010/108973 A2 describes a method for controlling harmful fungicomprising different sequential treatment blocks of plants with at leastone fungicidal biological control agent and at least one syntheticfungicide. Consequently, the control of insects is not addressed in thispatent application.

In view of this, it was in particular an object of the present inventionto provide compositions which exhibit activity against insects, mites,nematodes and/or phytopathogens. Moreover, it was a further particularobject of the present invention, to reduce the application rates andbroaden the activity spectrum of the biological control agents andinsecticides, and thereby to provide a composition which, preferably ata reduced total amount of active compounds applied, has improvedactivity against insects, mites, nematodes and/or phytopathogens. Inparticular, it was a further object of the present invention to providea composition which, when applied to a crop, results in a decreasedamount of residues in the crop, thereby reducing the risk of resistanceformation and nevertheless provides efficient disease control.

Accordingly, it was found that these objects at least partly are solvedby the compositions according to the invention as defined in thefollowing. The composition according to the present invention preferablyfulfills the above-described needs. It has been surprisingly discoveredthat the application of the composition according to the presentinvention in a simultaneous or sequential way to plants, plant parts,harvested fruits, vegetables and/or plant's locus of growth preferablyallows better control of insects, mites, nematodes and/or phytopathogensthan it is possible with the strains, their mutants and/or at least onemetabolite produced by the strains on the one hand and with theindividual insecticides on the other hand, alone (synergistic mixtures).By applying isolated gougerotin and the insecticide according to theinvention the activity against insects, mites, nematodes and/orphytopathogens is preferably increased in a superadditive manner.

As a consequence, the composition according to the present inventionpreferably allows a reduced total amount of both isolated gougerotin andthe insecticide to be used and thus the crops which have been treated bythis composition preferably show a decreased amount of residues in thecrop. Accordingly, the risk of resistance formation of harmfulmicroorganisms is decreased.

The present invention is directed to a composition comprising (a)isolated gougerotin and (b) at least one insecticide in asynergistically effective amount, with the proviso that the at least oneinsecticide is not gougerotin.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a kit of parts comprisingisolated gougerotin and at least one insecticide. The present inventionis further directed to the use of said composition for reducing overalldamage of plants and plant parts as well as losses in harvested fruitsor vegetables caused by insects, mites, nematodes and/or phytopathogens.

Moreover, the present invention provides a method for reducing overalldamage of plants and plant parts as well as losses in harvested fruitsor vegetables caused by insects, mites, nematodes and/or phytopathogens.

In the present invention, “isolated gougerotin” refers to the compound1-(4-Amino-2-oxo-1(2H)-pyrimidinyl)-1,4-dideoxy-4-[[N—(N-methylglycyl)-D-seryl]amino]-b-D-glucopyranuronamide,also known by its trivial name gougerotin. The chemical structure ofgougerotin is depicted in the following.

Gougerotin was first isolated as a water soluble, basic antibiotic fromculture filtrates of the fermentation broth of Streptomyces gougerotii,No. 21544 (Toshiko Kanzaki et al., Journal of Antibiotics, Ser. A, Vol.15, No. 2, June 1961, cf, also U.S. Pat. No. 3,849,398) but has lateralso been obtained by total synthesis (Fox & Watanabe, Pure Appl. Chem.1971, Vol. 28, page 475; Lichtenthaler, et al. Tetrahedron Lett. 1975,page 3527). More recently, Migawa et al, ORGANIC LETTERS 2005 Vol. 7,No. 16, pages 3429-3432 have described an efficient synthesis ofgougerotin using solid- and solution-phase methodology. Gougerotin isknown for its parasiticidal activity (for example, for its inhibitoryeffect on the ovulation of pin worms, see U.S. Pat. No. 3,849,398) andits acaricidal (miticidal) effect (see Japanese Patent Application No.JP 53109998 (A)). The gougerotin used in the present invention can befrom any known source, for example, produced by fermentation andsubsequent isolation from the culture broth, or made by chemicalsynthesis as described above.

In accordance with the above, “isolated gougerotin” as used hereinrefers to the purified chemical molecule that in case of fermentationhas been isolated from the fermentation broth or in case of chemicalsynthesis has been obtained as the end result of this chemical synthesisand is available in essentially pure form. “Essentially pure” means thatgougerotin in the main product that has been freed from impurities andside products. The gougerotin used in compositions of the invention maythus be at least 80% pure, at least 90% pure, at least 95% pure, atleast 98% pure or even purer.

In general “pesticidal” means the ability of a substance to increasemortality or inhibit the growth rate of plant pests. The term is usedherein, to describe the property of a substance to exhibit activityagainst insects, mites, nematodes and/or phytopathogens. In the sense ofthe present invention the term “pests” include insects, mites, nematodesand/or phytopathogens.

As used herein, “biological control” is defined as control of a pathogenand/or insect and/or an acarid and/or a nematode by the use of a secondorganism. Known mechanisms of biological control include bacteria thatcontrol root rot by out-competing fungi for space or nutrients on thesurface of the root. Bacterial toxins, such as antibiotics, have beenused to control pathogens. The toxin can be isolated and applieddirectly to the plant or the bacterial species may be administered so itproduces the toxin in situ.

Other means of exerting biological control include the application ofcertain fungi producing ingredients active against a targetphytopathogen, insect, mite or nematode, or attacking the targetpest/pathogen. “Biological control” as used in connection with thepresent invention may also encompass microorganisms having a beneficialeffect on plant health, growth, vigor, stress response or yield.Application routes include spray application, soil application and seedtreatment.

The term “metabolite” refers to any compound, substance or byproduct ofa fermentation of a said microorganism that has pesticidal activity. Onesuch metabolite produced e.g. by strain NRRL B-50550 and its mutantsaccording to the invention (such as Streptomyces microflavus strain M)is gougerotin that may be isolated for use in compositions of thisinvention. Said metabolite may also be contained in and isolated from afermentation broth such as fermentation broth containing saidmetabolite, e. g. gougerotin, at concentrations of at least about 1 g/L,at least about 2 g/L, at least about 3 g/L, at least about 4 g/L, atleast about 5 g/L at least about 6 g/L, at least about 7 g/L or at leastabout 8 g/L. In other embodiments the fermentation broth containsgougerotin in a concentration ranging from about 2 g/L to about 15 g/L,including in a concentration of about 3 g/L, of about 4 g/L, of about ofabout 5 g/L, of about 6 g/L, of about 7 g/L, of about 8 g/L, of about 9g/L, of about of 10 g/L, of about 11 g/L, of about 12 g/L, of about 13g/L, and of about 14 g/L.

The term “mutant” refers to a variant of the parental strain as well asmethods for obtaining a mutant or variant in which the pesticidalactivity of its metabolites, such as nematicidal or insecticidalactivity is greater than that expressed by the parental strain. The“parent strain” is defined herein as the original strain beforemutagenesis or the deposited strain. To obtain such mutants the parentalstrain may be treated with a chemical such asN-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, ethylmethanesulfone, or byirradiation using gamma, x-ray, or UV-irradiation, or by other meanswell known to those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, aphytophagous-miticidal mutant strain of the Streptomyces microflavusstrain NRRL B-50550 is used. The term “mutant” refers to a geneticvariant derived from Streptomyces microflavus strain NRRL B-50550. Inone embodiment, the mutant has one or more or all the identifying(functional) characteristics of Streptomyces microflavus strain NRRLB-50550. In a particular instance, the mutant or a fermentation productthereof controls (as an identifying functional characteristic) mites atleast as well as the gougerotin containing fermentation product of theparent Streptomyces microflavus NRRL B-50550 strain. In addition, themutant or a fermentation product thereof may have one, two, three, fouror all five of the following characteristics: translaminar activity inrelation to the miticidal activity, residual activity in relation to themiticidal activity, ovicidal activity, insecticide activity, inparticular against diabrotica, or activity against fungalphytopathogens, in particular against mildew and rust disease. Suchmutants may be genetic variants having a genomic sequence that hasgreater than about 85%, greater than about 90%, greater than about 95%,greater than about 98%, or greater than about 99% sequence identity toStreptomyces microflavus strain NRRL B-50550. Mutants may be obtained bytreating Streptomyces microflavus strain NRRL B-50550 cells withchemicals or irradiation or by selecting spontaneous mutants from apopulation of NRRL B-50550 cells (such as phage resistant or antibioticresistant mutants) or by other means well known to those practiced inthe art.

Suitable chemicals for mutagenesis of Streptomcyes microflavus includehydroxylamine hydrochloride, methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), ethylmethanesulfonate (EMS), 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (NQO), mitomycin C orN-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (NTG), to mention only a few (cf.,for example, Stonesifer & Baltz, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA Vol. 82, pp.1180-1183, February 1985). The mutagenesis of Streptomyces strains by,for example, NTG, using spore solutions of the respective Streptomcyesstrain is well known to the person skilled in the art. See, for exampleDelic et al, Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms ofMutagenesis, Volume 9, Issue 2, February 1970, pages 167-182, or Chen etal., J Antibiot (Tokyo), 2001 November; 54(11), pages 967-972.). In moredetail, Streptomyces microflavus can be subjected to mutation by NTGusing the protocol described in Kieser, T., et al., 2000, supra.Practical Streptomyces Genetics, Ch. 5 John Innes Centre, NorwichResearch Park, England (2000), pp. 99-107. Mutagenesis of spores ofStreptomyces microflavus by ultraviolet light (UV) can be carried outusing standard protocols. For example, a spore suspension of theStreptomyces strain (freshly prepared or frozen in 20% glycerol) can besuspended in a medium that does not absorb UV light at a wave length of254 nm (for example, water or 20% glycerol are suitable). The sporesuspension is then placed in a glass Petri dish and irradiated with alow pressure mercury vapour lamp that emits most of its energy at 254 nmwith constant agitation for an appropriate time at 30° C. (the mostappropriate time of irradiation can be determined by first plotting adose-survival curve). Slants or plates of non-selective medium can, forexample, then be inoculated with the dense irradiated spore suspensionand the so obtained mutant strains can be assessed for their propertiesas explained in the following. See Kieser, T., et al., 2000, supra.

The mutant strain used in the present invention can be any mutant strainthat has one or more or all the identifying characteristics ofStreptomyces microflavus strain NRRL B-50550 and in particular miticidalactivity of its fermentation product that is comparable or better thanthat of Streptomyces microflavus NRRL B-50550, such as Streptomycesmicroflavus Strain M. The miticidal activity of the fermentation productcan, for example, be determined against two-spotted spider mites(“TSSM”) as explained in Example 1 herein, meaning culture stocks of themutant strain of Streptomyces microflavus NRRL B-50550 can be grown in 1L shake flasks in Media 1 or Media 2 of Example 1 at 20-30° C. for 3-5days, and the diluted fermentation product can then be applied on topand bottom of lima bean leaves of two plants, after which treatment,plants can be infested on the same day with 50-100 TSSM and left in thegreenhouse for five days.

A “variant” is a strain having all the identifying characteristics ofthe NRRL or ATCC Accession Numbers as indicated in this text and can beidentified as having a genome that hybridizes under conditions of highstringency to the genome of the NRRL or ATCC Accession Numbers.

“Hybridization” refers to a reaction in which one or morepolynucleotides react to form a complex that is stabilized via hydrogenbonding between the bases of the nucleotide residues. The hydrogenbonding may occur by Watson-Crick base pairing, Hoogstein binding, or inany other sequence-specific manner. The complex may comprise two strandsforming a duplex structure, three or more strands forming amulti-stranded complex, a single self-hybridizing strand, or anycombination of these. Hybridization reactions can be performed underconditions of different “stringency”. In general, a low stringencyhybridization reaction is carried out at about 40° C. in 10×SSC or asolution of equivalent ionic strength/temperature. A moderate stringencyhybridization is typically performed at about 50° C. in 6×SSC, and ahigh stringency hybridization reaction is generally performed at about60° C. in 1×SSC.

A variant of the indicated NRRL or ATCC Accession Number may also bedefined as a strain having a genomic sequence that is greater than 85%,more preferably greater than 90% or more preferably greater than 95%sequence identity to the genome of the indicated NRRL or ATCC AccessionNumber. A polynucleotide or polynucleotide region (or a polypeptide orpolypeptide region) has a certain percentage (for example, 80%, 85%,90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%) of “sequence identity” to anothersequence means that, when aligned, that percentage of bases (or aminoacids) are the same in comparing the two sequences. This alignment andthe percent homology or sequence identity can be determined usingsoftware programs known in the art, for example, those described inCurrent Protocols in Molecular Biology (F. M. Ausubel et al., eds.,1987) Supplement 30, section 7.7.18, Table 7.7.1.

NRRL is the abbreviation for the Agricultural Research Service CultureCollection, an international depositary authority for the purposes ofdeposing microorganism strains under the Budapest treaty on theinternational recognition of the deposit of microorganisms for thepurposes of patent procedure, having the address National Center forAgricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research service, U.S.Department of Agriculture, 1815 North university Street, Peroira, Ill.61604 USA.

ATCC is the abbreviation for the American Type Culture Collection, aninternational depositary authority for the purposes of deposingmicroorganism strains under the Budapest treaty on the internationalrecognition of the deposit of microorganisms for the purposes of patentprocedure, having the address ATCC Patent Depository, 10801 UniversityBlvd., Manassas, Va. 10110 USA.

Several Streptomyces strains have been described for use in agriculture.In relation to a possible agricultural use, Streptomyces strains havebeen predominantly described in publications from the late 1960's andearly 1970's. See, for example, the British Patent No. GB 1 507 193 thatdescribes the Streptomyces rimofaciens strain No. B-98891, deposited asATCC 31120, which produces the antibiotic B-98891. According to GB 1 507193, filed March 1975, the antibiotic B-98891 is the active ingredientthat provides antifungal activity of the Streptomyces rimofaciens strainNo. B-98891 against powdery mildew. U.S. Pat. No. 3,849,398, filed Aug.2, 1972, describes that the strain Streptomyces toyocaensis var.aspiculamyceticus produces the antibiotic aspiculamycin which is alsoknown as gougerotin (see, Tom Ikeuchi et al., 25 J. ANTIBIOTICS 548(September 1972). According to U.S. Pat. No. 3,849,398, gougerotin hasparasiticidal action against parasites on animals, such as pin worm andthe like, although gougerotin is said to show a weak antibacterialactivity against gram-positive, gram-negative bacteria and tuberculebacillus. Similarly, Japanese Patent Application No. JP 53109998 (A),published 1978, reports the strain Streptomyces toyocaensis (LA-681) andits ability to produce gougerotin for use as miticide. However, it is tobe noted that no miticidal product based on such Streptomcyes strains iscommercially available.

Besides the Streptomyces strains listed above also other Streptomycesstrains may be used within the scope of the present invention, such asStreptomyces coelicolor strain M1146 harboring a modified gene clusterfor gougerotin production as described in Du et al. (Appl MicrobiolBiotechnol 2013; 97(14)) and Streptomyces graminearus as described inNiu et al. (Chem Ciol 2013; 20(1)). Other gougerotin-producingStreptomyces species that may be used within the scope of the presentinvention are S. microflavus, S. griseus, S. anulatus, S. fimicarius, S.parvus, S. lavendulae, S. alboviridis, S. puniceus, or S. graminearus.

According to one embodiment of the present invention the isolatedgougerotin is derived from a whole broth culture of isolated, purecultures of the respective microorganisms or a metabolite-containingsupernatant or a purified metabolite obtained from whole broth cultureof the strain. “Whole broth culture” refers to a liquid culturecontaining both cells and media. “Supernatant” refers to the liquidbroth remaining when cells grown in broth are removed by centrifugation,filtration, sedimentation, or other means well known in the art.

Compositions of the present invention can be obtained from syntheticallymade gougerotin. Alternatively. compositions of the present inventioncan be obtained by means of culturing Streptomyces strains such asStreptomyces microflavus NRRL B-50550 or mutants derived from it usingconventional large-scale microbial fermentation processes, such assubmerged fermentation, solid state fermentation or liquid surfaceculture, including the methods described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.3,849,398; British Patent No. GB 1 507 193; Toshiko Kanzaki et al.,Journal of Antibiotics, Ser. A, Vol. 15, No. 2, June 1961, pages 93 to97; or Tom Ikeuchi et al., Journal of Antibiotics, (September 1972),pages 548 to 550, and subsequent isolation of gougerotin from thefermentation broth. For example, gougerotin can be isolated from thefiltered fermentation broth as described by Toshiko Kanzaki et al, supraor as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,849,398 after adjustment of the pH ofthe fermentation broth to acidic to neutral together with filter aidssuch as diatomaceous earth, removing mycelium, passing the filtrate ontoa cation exchange, thereby to have gougerotin adsorbed on the cationexchange and then eluting the adsorbed gougerotin with an appropriateacid, alkali or inorganic salt solution. The so obtained gougerotin maybe further purified from other chemicals contained in the eluate such astetraene or toyocamycin by subsequent steps as also described in ToshikoKanzaki et al, supra or U.S. Pat. No. 3,849,398. Fermentation isconfigured to obtain high levels of live biomass, particularly spores,and desirable secondary metabolites including gougerotin in thefermentation vessels. Specific fermentation methods that are suitablefor the strain Streptomyces microflavus strain NRRL B-50550 or for thestrain Streptomyces microflavus strain M that may be used in the presentinvention to achieve high levels of sporulation, cfu (colony formingunits), and secondary metabolites, including gougerotin, are describedin the Examples section.

The bacterial cells, spores and metabolites in culture broth resultingfrom fermentation (the “whole broth” or “fermentation broth”) may beused directly for isolation of gougerotin. Alternatively, for theisolation of gougerotin the whole broth may be concentrated byconventional industrial methods, such as centrifugation, filtration, andevaporation, or processed into dry powder and granules by spray drying,drum drying and freeze drying, for example.

The terms “whole broth” and “fermentation broth,” as used herein, referto the culture broth resulting from fermentation (including theproduction of a culture broth that contains gougerotin in aconcentration of at least about 1 g/L) before any downstream treatment.The whole broth encompasses the gougerotin producing microorganism(e.g., Streptomyces microflavus NRRL B-50550 or a phytophagous-miticidalmutant strain thereof) and its component parts, unused raw substrates,and metabolites produced by the microorganism during fermentation. Theterm “broth concentrate,” as used herein, refers to whole broth(fermentation broth) that has been concentrated by conventionalindustrial methods, as described above, but remains in liquid form. Theterm “fermentation solid,” as used herein, refers to dried fermentationbroth. The term “fermentation product,” as used herein, refers to wholebroth, broth concentrate and/or even fermentation solids. Compositionsof the present invention include fermentation products. In someembodiments, the concentrated fermentation broth is washed, for example,via a diafiltration process, to remove residual fermentation broth andmetabolites.

In another embodiment, the fermentation broth or broth concentrate canbe dried with or without the addition of carriers, inerts, or additivesusing conventional drying processes or methods such as spray drying,freeze drying, tray drying, fluidized-bed drying, drum drying, orevaporation.

A sample of a Streptomyces microflavus strain that can be used in theinvention has been deposited with the Agricultural Research ServiceCulture Collection located at the National Center for AgriculturalUtilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department ofAgriculture, 1815 North University Street, Peoria, Ill. 61604 under theBudapest Treaty on Aug. 19, 2011 and has been assigned the followingdepository designation: NRRL B-50550.

A sample of a mutant of Streptomyces microflavus strain NRRL B-50550(designated herein as Streptomyces microflavus strain M and also knownas AQ6121.002) that can also be used in the present invention has beendeposited with the International Depositary Authority of Canada locatedat 1015 Arlington Street Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada R3E 3R2 on Oct. 9,2013 and has been assigned Accession No. 091013-02.

Insecticides

“Insecticides” as well as the term “insecticidal” refers to the abilityof a substance to increase mortality or inhibit growth rate of insects.As used herein, the term “insects” includes all organisms in the class“Insecta”. The term “pre-adult” insects refers to any form of anorganism prior to the adult stage, including, for example, eggs, larvae,and nymphs.

“Nematicides” and “nematicidal” refers to the ability of a substance toincrease mortality or inhibit the growth rate of nematodes. In general,the term “nematode” comprises eggs, larvae, juvenile and mature forms ofsaid organism.

“Acaricide” and “acaricidal” refers to the ability of a substance toincrease mortality or inhibit growth rate of ectoparasites belonging tothe class Arachnida, sub-class Acari.

The active ingredients specified herein by their “common name” are knownand described, for example, in the Pesticide Manual (“The PesticideManual”, 14th Ed., British Crop Protection Council 2006) or can besearched in the internet (e.g. www.alanwood.net/pesticides).

According to one embodiment of the present invention preferredinsecticides are selected from the group consisting of

(1) Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, for examplecarbamates, e.g. Alanycarb (I1), Aldicarb (I2), Bendiocarb (I3),Benfuracarb (I4), Butocarboxim (I5), Butoxycarboxim (I6), Carbaryl (I7),Carbofuran (I8), Carbosulfan (I9), Ethiofencarb (I10), Fenobucarb (I11),Formetanate (I12), Furathiocarb (I13), Isoprocarb (I14), Methiocarb(I15), Methomyl (I16), Metolcarb (I17), Oxamyl (I18), Pirimicarb (I19),Propoxur (I20), Thiodicarb (I21), Thiofanox (I22), Triazamate (I23),Trimethacarb (I24), XMC (I25), and Xylylcarb (I26); ororganophosphates, e.g. Acephate (I27), Azamethiphos (I28),Azinphos-ethyl (I29), Azinphos-methyl (I30), Cadusafos (I31),Chlorethoxyfos (I32), Chlorfenvinphos (I33), Chlormephos (I34),Chlorpyrifos (I35), Chlorpyrifos-methyl (I36), Coumaphos (I37),Cyanophos (I38), Demeton-S-methyl (I39), Diazinon (I40), Dichlorvos/DDVP(I41), Dicrotophos (I42), Dimethoate (I43), Dimethylvinphos (I44),Disulfoton (I45), EPN (I46), Ethion (I47), Ethoprophos (I48), Famphur(I49), Fenamiphos (I50), Fenitrothion (I51), Fenthion (I52), Fosthiazate(I53), Heptenophos (I54), Imicyafos (I55), Isofenphos (I56), IsopropylO-(methoxyaminothio-phosphoryl) salicylate (I57), Isoxathion (I58),Malathion (I59), Mecarbam (I60), Methamidophos (I61), Methidathion(I62), Mevinphos (I63), Monocrotophos (I64), Naled (I65), Omethoate(I66), Oxydemeton-methyl (I67), Parathion (I68), Parathion-methyl (I69),Phenthoate (I70), Phorate (I71), Phosalone (I72), Phosmet (I73),Phosphamidon (I74), Phoxim (I75), Pirimiphos-methyl (I76), Profenofos(I77), Propetamphos (I78), Prothiofos (I79), Pyraclofos (I80),Pyridaphenthion (I81), Quinalphos (I82), Sulfotep (I83), Tebupirimfos(I84), Temephos (I85), Terbufos (I86), Tetrachlorvinphos (I87),Thiometon (I88), Triazophos (I89), Trichlorfon (I90), and Vamidothion(I91);(2) GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists, for examplecyclodiene organochlorines, e.g. Chlordane (I92) and Endosulfan (I93);orphenylpyrazoles (fiproles), e.g. Ethiprole (I94) and Fipronil (I95);(3) Sodium channel modulators/voltage-dependent sodium channel blockers,for example pyrethroids, e.g. Acrinathrin (I96), Allethrin (I97),d-cis-trans Allethrin (I98), d-trans Allethrin (I99), Bifenthrin (I100),Bioallethrin (I101), Bioallethrin S-cyclopentenyl isomer (I102),Bioresmethrin (I103), Cycloprothrin (I104), Cyfluthrin (I105),beta-Cyfluthrin (I106), Cyhalothrin (I107), lambda-Cyhalothrin (I108),gamma-Cyhalothrin (I109), Cypermethrin (I110), alpha-Cypermethrin(I111), beta-Cypermethrin (I112), theta-Cypermethrin (I113),zeta-Cypermethrin (I114), Cyphenothrin [(1R)-transisomers] (I115),Deltamethrin (I116), Empenthrin [(EZ)-(1R) isomers) (I117),Esfenvalerate (I118), Etofenprox (I119), Fenpropathrin (I120),Fenvalerate (I121), Flucythrinate (I122), Flumethrin (I123),tau-Fluvalinate (I124), Halfenprox (I125), Imiprothrin (I126), Kadethrin(I127), Permethrin (I128), Phenothrin [(1R)-trans isomer) (I129),Prallethrin (I130), Pyrethrine (pyrethrum) (I131), Resmethrin (I132),Silafluofen (I133), Tefluthrin (I134), Tetramethrin (I135), Tetramethrin[(1R) isomers)] (I136), Tralomethrin (I137), and Transfluthrin (I138);or DDT (I139); or Methoxychlor (I140);(4) Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists, for exampleneonicotinoids, e.g. Acetamiprid (I141), Clothianidin (I142),Dinotefuran (I143), Imidacloprid (I144), Nitenpyram (I145), Thiacloprid(I146), and Thiamethoxam (I147); or Nicotine (I148); or Sulfoxaflor(I149).(5) Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) allosteric activators, forexample spinosyns, e.g. Spinetoram (I150) and Spinosad (I151);(6) Chloride channel activators, for example avermectins/milbemycins,e.g. Abamectin (I152), Emamectin benzoate (I153), Lepimectin (I154), andMilbemectin (I155);(7) Juvenile hormone mimics, for example juvenile hormone analogues,e.g. Hydroprene (I156), Kinoprene (I157), and Methoprene (I158); orFenoxycarb (I159); or Pyriproxyfen (I160);(8) Miscellaneous non-specific (multi-site) inhibitors, for examplealkyl halides, e.g. Methyl bromide (I161) and other alkyl halides; orChloropicrin (I162); or Sulfuryl fluoride (I163); or Borax (I164); orTartar emetic (I165);(9) Selective homopteran feeding blockers, e.g. Pymetrozine (I166); orFlonicamid (I167);(10) Mite growth inhibitors, e.g. Clofentezine (I168), Hexythiazox(I169), and Diflovidazin (I170); or Etoxazole (I171);(11) Microbial disruptors of insect midgut membranes, e.g. Bacillusthuringiensis subspecies israelensis (I172), Bacillus thuringiensissubspecies aizawai (I173), Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki(I174), Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies tenebrionis (I175), and B.t.crop proteins: Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1Fa, Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab, Vip3A, mCry3A,Cry3Ab, Cry3Bb, Cry34 Ab1/35Ab1 (I176); or Bacillus sphaericus (I177);(12) Inhibitors of mitochondrial ATP synthase, for example Diafenthiuron(I178); or organotin miticides, e.g. Azocyclotin (I179), Cyhexatin(I180), and Fenbutatin oxide (I181); or Propargite (I182); or Tetradifon(I183);(13) Uncouplers of oxidative phoshorylation via disruption of the protongradient, for example Chlorfenapyr (I184), DNOC (I185), and Sulfluramid(I186);(14) Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) channel blockers, forexample Bensultap (I187), Cartap hydrochloride (I188), Thiocyclam(I189), and Thiosultap-sodium (I190);(15) Inhibitors of chitin biosynthesis, type 0, for example Bistrifluron(I191), Chlorfluazuron (I192), Diflubenzuron (I193), Flucycloxuron(I194), Flufenoxuron (I195), Hexaflumuron (I196), Lufenuron (I197),Novaluron (I198), Noviflumuron (I199), Teflubenzuron (I200), andTriflumuron (I201);(16) Inhibitors of chitin biosynthesis, type 1, for example Buprofezin(I202);(17) Moulting disruptors, for example Cyromazine (I203);(18) Ecdysone receptor agonists, for example Chromafenozide (I204),Halofenozide (I205), Methoxyfenozide (I206), and Tebufenozide (I207);(19) Octopamine receptor agonists, for example Amitraz (I208);(20) Mitochondrial complex III electron transport inhibitors, forexample Hydramethylnon (I209); or Acequinocyl (I210); or Fluacrypyrim(I211);(21) Mitochondrial complex I electron transport inhibitors, for exampleMETI acaricides, e.g. Fenazaquin (I212), Fenpyroximate (I213),Pyrimidifen (I214), Pyridaben (I215), Tebufenpyrad (I216), andTolfenpyrad (I217); or Rotenone (Derris) (I218);(22) Voltage-dependent sodium channel blockers, e.g. Indoxacarb (I219);or Metaflumizone (I220);(23) Inhibitors of acetyl CoA carboxylase, for example tetronic andtetramic acid derivatives, e.g. Spirodiclofen (I221), Spiromesifen(I222), and Spirotetramat (I223);(24) Mitochondrial complex IV electron transport inhibitors, for examplephosphines, e.g. Aluminium phosphide (I224), Calcium phosphide (I225),Phosphine (I226), and Zinc phosphide (I227); or Cyanide (I228);(25) Mitochondrial complex II electron transport inhibitors, for examplebeta-ketonitrile derivatives, e.g. Cyenopyrafen (I229) and Cyflumetofen(I230);(28) Ryanodine receptor modulators, for example diamides, e.g.Chlorantraniliprole (I231), Cyantraniliprole (I232), and Flubendiamide(I233);

Further active ingredients with unknown or uncertain mode of action, forexample Amidoflumet (I234), Azadirachtin (I235), Benclothiaz (I236),Benzoximate (I237), Bifenazate (I238), Bromopropylate (I239),Chinomethionat (I240), Cryolite (I241), Dicofol (I242), Diflovidazin(I243), Fluensulfone (I244), Flufenerim (I245), Flufiprole (I246),Fluopyram (I247), Fufenozide (I248), Imidaclothiz (I249), Iprodione(I250), Meperfluthrin (I251), Pyridalyl (I252), Pyrifluquinazon (I253),Tetramethylfluthrin (I254), and iodomethane (I255); furthermore productsbased on Bacillus firmus (including but not limited to strain CNCMI-1582, such as, for example, VOTiVO™, BioNem) (I256) or one of thefollowing known active compounds:3-bromo-N-{2-bromo-4-chloro-6-[(1-cyclopropylethyl)carbamoyl]phenyl}-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide(I257) (known from WO2005/077934),4-{[(6-bromopyridin-3-yl)methyl](2-fluoroethyl)amino}furan-2(5H)-one(I258) (known from WO2007/115644),4-{[(6-fluoropyridin-3-yl)methyl](2,2-difluoroethyl)amino}furan-2(5H)-one(I259) (known from WO2007/115644),4-{[(2-chloro-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)methyl](2-fluoroethyl)amino}furan-2(5H)-one(I260) (known from WO2007/115644),4-{[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl](2-fluoroethyl)amino}furan-2(5H)-one(I261) (known from WO2007/115644), Flupyradifurone (I262),4-{[(6-chlor-5-fluoropyridin-3-yl)methyl](methyl)amino}furan-2(5H)-one(I263) (known from WO2007/115643),4-{[(5,6-dichloropyridin-3-yl)methyl](2-fluoroethyl)amino}furan-2(5H)-one(I264) (known from WO2007/115646),4-{[(6-chloro-5-fluoropyridin-3-yl)methyl](cyclopropyl)amino}furan-2(5H)-one(I265) (known from WO2007/115643),4-{[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl](cyclopropyl)amino}furan-2(5H)-one(I266) (known from EP-A-0 539 588),4-{[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl](methyl)amino}furan-2(5H)-one (I267)(known from EP-A-0 539 588),{[1-(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)ethyl](methyl)oxido-λ4-sulfanylidene}cyanamide(I268) (known from WO2007/149134) and its diastereomers{[(1R)-1-(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)ethyl](methyl)oxido-λ4-sulfanylidene}cyanamide(A) (I269), and{[(1S)-1-(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)ethyl](methyl)oxido-λ4-sulfanylidene}cyanamide(B) (I270) (also known from WO2007/149134) as well as diastereomers[(R)-methyl(oxido){(1R)-1-[6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethyl}-λ4-sulfanylidene]cyanamide(A1) (I271), and [(S)-methyl(oxido){(1S)-1-[6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethyl}-λ4-sulfanylidene]cyanamide(A2) (I272), referred to as group of diastereomers A (known fromWO2010/074747, WO2010/074751),[(R)-methyl(oxido){(1S)-1-[6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethyl}-λ4-sulfanylidene]cyanamide(B1) (I273), and[(S)-methyl(oxido){(1R)-1-[6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethyl}λ4-sulfanylidene]cyanamide(B2) (I274), referred to as group of diastereomers B (also known fromWO2010/074747, WO2010/074751), and11-(4-chloro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-12-hydroxy-1,4-dioxa-9-azadispiro[4.2.4.2]tetradec-11-en-10-one(I275) (known from WO2006/089633),3-(4′-fluoro-2,4-dimethylbiphenyl-3-yl)-4-hydroxy-8-oxa-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-3-en-2-one(I276) (known from WO2008/067911),1-{2-fluoro-4-methyl-5-[(2,2,2-trifluorethyl)sulfinyl]phenyl}-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-amine(I277) (known from WO2006/043635), Afidopyropen[(3S,4aR,12R,12aS,12bS)-3-[(cyclopropylcarbonyl)oxy]-6,12-dihydroxy-4,12b-dimethyl-11-oxo-9-(pyridin-3-yl)-1,3,4,4a,5,6,6a,12,12a,12b-decahydro-2H,11H-benzo[f]pyrano[4,3-b]chromen-4-yl]methylcyclopropanecarboxylate (I278) (known from WO2008/066153),2-cyano-3-(difluoromethoxy)-N,N-dimethylbenzenesulfonamide (I279) (knownfrom WO2006/056433),2-cyano-3-(difluoromethoxy)-N-methylbenzenesulfonamide (I280) (knownfrom WO2006/100288),2-cyano-3-(difluoromethoxy)-N-ethylbenzenesulfonamide (I281) (known fromWO2005/035486),4-(difluoromethoxy)-N-ethyl-N-methyl-1,2-benzothiazol-3-amine1,1-dioxide (I282) (known from WO2007/057407),N-[1-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)-2-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)ethyl]-4,5-dihydro-1,3-thiazol-2-amine(I283) (known from WO2008/104503),{1′-[(2E)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)prop-2-en-1-yl]-5-fluorospiro[indole-3,4′-piperidin]-1(2H)-yl}(2-chloropyridin-4-yl)methanone(I284) (known from WO2003/106457),3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-4-hydroxy-8-methoxy-1,8-diazaspiro[4.5]dec-3-en-2-one(I285) (known from WO2009/049851),3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-8-methoxy-2-oxo-1,8-diazaspiro[4.5]dec-3-en-4-ylethyl carbonate (I286) (known from WO2009/049851),4-(but-2-yn-1-yloxy)-6-(3,5-dimethylpiperidin-1-yl)-5-fluoropyrimidine(I287) (known from WO2004/099160),(2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyl)(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)malononitrile(I288) (known from WO2005/063094),(2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyl)(3,3,4,4,4-pentafluorobutyl)malononitrile(I289) (known from WO2005/063094),8-[2-(cyclopropylmethoxy)-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-3-[6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridazin-3-yl]-3-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane(I290) (known from WO2007/040280), Flometoquin (I291), PF1364 (CAS-Reg.No. 1204776-60-2) (I292) (known from JP2010/018586),5-[5-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)benzonitrile(I293) (known from WO2007/075459),5-[5-(2-chloropyridin-4-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)benzonitrile(I294) (known from WO2007/075459),4-[5-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-2-methyl-N-{2-oxo-2-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)amino]ethyl}benzamide(I295) (known from WO2005/085216),4-{[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl](cyclopropyl)amino}-1,3-oxazol-2(5H)-one(I296),4-{[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl](2,2-difluoroethyl)amino}-1,3-oxazol-2(5H)-one(I297),4-{[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl](ethyl)amino}-1,3-oxazol-2(5H)-one(I298),4-{[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl](methyl)amino}-1,3-oxazol-2(5H)-one(I299) (all known from WO2010/005692), PyflubumideN-[4-(1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-methoxypropan-2-yl)-3-isobutylphenyl]-N-isobutyryl-1,3,5-trimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide(I300) (known from WO2002/096882), methyl2-[2-({[3-bromo-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]carbonyl}amino)-5-chloro-3-methylbenzoyl]-2-methylhydrazinecarboxylate(I301) (known from WO2005/085216), methyl2-[2-({[3-bromo-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]carbonyl}amino)-5-cyano-3-methylbenzoyl]-2-ethylhydrazinecarboxylate(I302) (known from WO2005/0852 16), methyl2-[2-({[3-bromo-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]carbonyl}amino)-5-cyano-3-methylbenzoyl]-2-methylhydrazinecarboxylate(I303) (known from WO2005/085216), methyl2-[3,5-dibromo-2-({[3-bromo-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]carbonyl}amino)benzoyl]-1,2-diethylhydrazinecarboxylate(I304) (known from WO2005/085216), methyl2-[3,5-dibromo-2-({[3-bromo-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]carbonyl}amino)benzoyl]-2-ethylhydrazinecarboxylate(I305) (known from WO2005/085216),(5RS,7RS;5RS,7SR)-1-(6-chloro-3-pyridylmethyl)-1,2,3,5,6,7-hexahydro-7-methyl-8-nitro-5-propoxyimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine(I306) (known from WO2007/101369),2-{6-[2-(5-fluoropyridin-3-yl)-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]pyridin-2-yl}pyrimidine(I307) (known from WO2010/006713),2-{6-[2-(pyridin-3-yl)-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]pyridin-2-yl}pyrimidine (I308)(known from WO2010/006713),1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-tetrazol-1-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide(I309) (known from WO2010/069502),1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-tetrazol-2-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide(I310) (known from WO2010/069502),N-[2-(tert-butylcarbamoyl)-4-cyano-6-methylphenyl]-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-tetrazol-1-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide(I311) (known from WO2010/069502),N-[2-(tert-butylcarbamoyl)-4-cyano-6-methylphenyl]-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-tetrazol-2-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide(I312) (known from WO2010/069502),(1E)-N-[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl]-N′-cyano-N-(2,2-difluoroethyl)ethanimidamide(I313) (known from WO2008/0093 60),N-[2-(5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-chloro-6-methylphenyl]-3-bromo-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide(I314) (known from CN102057925), methyl2-[3,5-dibromo-2-({[3-bromo-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]carbonyl}amino)benzoyl]-2-ethyl-1-methylhydrazinecarboxylate(I315) (known from WO2011/049233) and (I316) pesticidal terpene mixturescomprising the three terpenes α-terpinene, p-cymene and limonene, andoptionally minor terpene ingredients, including simulated naturalpesticides comprising a mixture of three terpenes, i.e. α-terpinene,p-cymene and limonene sold as Requiem®. In a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention the insecticide is a synthetic insecticide. As usedherein, the term “synthetic” defines a compound that has not beenobtained from a biological control agent. Especially a syntheticinsecticide or fungicide is no metabolite of the biological controlagents according to the present invention.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention theinsecticide is selected from the group consisting of Abamectin (I152),Acephate (I27), Acetamiprid (I141), Acrinathrin (I96),Alpha-Cypermethrin (I111), Beta-Cyfluthrin (I106), Bifenthrin (I100),Buprofezin (I202), Clothianidin (I142), Chlorantraniliprole (I231),Chlorfenapyr (I184), Chlorpyrifos (I35), Carbofuran (I8),Cyantraniliprole (I232), Cyenopyrafen (I229), Cyflumentofen (I230),Cyfluthrin (I105), Cypermethrin (I110), Deltamethrin (I116),Diafenthiuron (I178), Dinotefuran (I143), Emamectin-benzoate (I153),Ethiprole (I94), Fenpyroximate (I213), Fipronil (I95), Flometoquin(I291), Flubendiamide (I233), Fluensulfone (I244), Fluopyram (I247),Flupyradifurone (I262), Gamma-Cyhalothrin (I109), Imidacloprid (I144),Indoxacarb (I219), Lambda-Cyhalothrin (I108), Lufenuron (I197),Metaflumizone (I220), Methiocarb (I15), Methoxyfenozide (I206),Milbemectin (I155), Profenofos (I77), Pyflubumide (I300),Pyrifluquinazone (I253), Spinetoram (I150), Spinosad (I151),Spirodiclofen (I221), Spiromesifen (I222), Spirotetramate (I223),Sulfoxaflor (I149), Tebufenpyrad (I216), Tefluthrin (I134), Thiacloprid(I146), Thiamethoxam (I147), Thiodicarb (I21), Triflumuron (I201),1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-tetrazol-1-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide(I309) (known from WO2010/069502),1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-tetrazol-2-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide(I310) (known from WO2010/069502) and1-{2-fluoro-4-methyl-5-[(2,2,2-trifluorethyl)sulfinyl]phenyl}-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-amine(I277), Afidopyropen (I278).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the insecticide, e.g., theinsecticide for use in seed treatment, is selected from the groupconsisting of Abamectin (I152), B. firmus (I256), Carbofuran (I8),Clothianidin (I142), Cyazypyr, Cycloxaprid, Cypermethrin (I110),Ethiprole (I94), Fipronil (I95), Fluopyram (I247), Imidacloprid (I144),Methiocarb (I15), Rynaxypyr, Spinosad (I151), Sulfoxaflor (I149),Tefluthrin (I134), Thiametoxam (I147), Thiodicarb (I21).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the insecticide, e.g.,the insecticide for use in seed treatment, is selected from the groupconsisting of Methiocarb (I15), Thiodicarb (I21), Fipronil (I95),13-Cyfluthrin (I105), Tefluthrin (I134), Clothianidin (I142),Imidacloprid (I144), Thiacloprid (I146), Sulfoxaflor (I149), Spinetoram(I150), Spinosad (I151), Chlorantraniliprole (I231), Cyantraniliprole(I232), Flubendiamide (I233),1-{2-fluoro-4-methyl-5-[(2,2,2-trifluorethyl)sulfinyl]phenyl}-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-amine(I277),1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-tetrazol-2-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide(I310),

In one embodiment of the present invention the composition comprises twoor more insecticides. In a preferred embodiment the compositioncomprises two or more of the above-mentioned preferred insecticides. Inparticular, the preferred two or more insecticides are selected from thegroup consisting of Abamectin (I152), Acephate (I27), Acetamiprid(I141), Acrinathrin (I96), Alpha-Cypermethrin (I111), Beta-Cyfluthrin(I106), Bifenthrin (I100), Buprofezin (I202), Clothianidin (I142),Chlorantraniliprole (I231), Chlorfenapyr (I184), Chlorpyrifos (I35),Carbofuran (I8), Cyantraniliprole (I232), Cyenopyrafen (I229),Cyflumentofen (I230), Cyfluthrin (I105), Cypermethrin (I110),Deltamethrin (I116), Diafenthiuron (I178), Dinotefuran (I143),Emamectin-benzoate (I153), Ethiprole (I94), Fenpyroximate (I213),Fipronil (I95), Flometoquin (I291), Flubendiamide (I233), Fluensulfone(I244), Fluopyram (I247), Flupyradifurone (I262), Gamma-Cyhalothrin(I109), Imidacloprid (I144), Indoxacarb (I219), Lambda-Cyhalothrin(I108), Lufenuron (I197), Metaflumizone (I220), Methiocarb (I15),Methoxyfenozide (I206), Milbemectin (I155), Profenofos (I77),Pyflubumide (I300), Pyrifluquinazone (I253), Spinetoram (I150), Spinosad(I151), Spirodiclofen (I221), Spiromesifen (I222), Spirotetramate(I223), Sulfoxaflor (I149), Tebufenpyrad (I216), Tefluthrin (I134),Thiacloprid (I146), Thiamethoxam (I147), Thiodicarb (I21), Triflumuron(I201),1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-tetrazol-1-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide(I309) (known from WO2010/069502),1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-tetrazol-2-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide(I310) (known from WO2010/069502) and1-{2-fluoro-4-methyl-5-[(2,2,2-trifluorethyl)sulfinyl]phenyl}-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-amine(I277).

COMPOSITIONS ACCORDING TO THE PRESENT INVENTION

According to the present invention the composition comprises gougerotinthat has been isolated from from the group consisting of a Streptomycesspp. strain, preferably a gougerotin-producing Streptomyces spp. strainsuch as Streptomyces microflavus strain NRRL B-50550 or from a mutantthereof having all the identifying characteristics of the respectivestrain, such as Streptomyces microflavus strain M and at least oneinsecticide in a synergistically effective amount, with the proviso thatthe insecticide is not gougerotin. In one embodiment thegougerotin-producing Streptomyces species strain used herein is S.microflavus, S. griseus, S. anulatus, S. fimicarius, S. parvus, S.lavendulae, S. alboviridis, S. puniceus, or S. graminearus. A“synergistically effective amount” according to the present inventionrepresents a quantity of a combination of isolated gougerotin and aninsecticide that is statistically significantly more effective againstinsects, mites, nematodes and/or phytopathogens than isolated gougerotinor the insecticide only. Isolated gougerotin is sometimes referred toherein as B1.

In a preferred embodiment the composition according to the presentinvention comprises the following combinations:

B1+I1, B1+I2, B1+I3, B1+I4, B1+I5, B1+I6, B1+I7, B1+I8, B1+I9, B1+B10,B1+I11, B1+I12, B1+I13, B1+I14, B1+I15, B1+I16, B1+I17, B1+I18, B1+I19,B1+I20, B1+I21, B1+I22, B1+I23, B1+I24, B1+I25, B1+I26, B1+I27, B1+I28,B1+I29, B1+I30, B1+I31, B1+I32, B1+I33, B1+I34, B1+I35, B1+I36, B1+I37,B1+I38, B1+I39, B1+I40, B1+I41, B1+I42, B1+I43, B1+I44, B1+I45, B1+I46,B1+I47, B1+I48, B1+I49, B1+I50, B1+I51, B1+I52, B1+I53, B1+I54, B1+I55,B1+I56, B1+I57, B1+I58, B1+I59, B1+I60, B1+I61, B1+I62, B1+I63, B1+I64,B1+I65, B1+I66, B1+I67, B1+I68, B1+I69, B1+I70, B1+I71, B1+I72, B1+I73,B1+I74, B1+I75, B1+I76, B1+I77, B1+I78, B1+I79, B1+I80, B1+I81, B1+I82,B1+I83, B1+I84, B1+I85, B1+I86, B1+I87, B1+I88, B1+I89, B1+I90, B1+I91,B1+I92, B1+I93, B1+I94, B1+I95, B1+I96, B1+I97, B1+I98, B1+I99, B1+I100,B1+I101, B1+I102, B1+I103, B1+I104, B1+I105, B1+I106, B1+I107, B1+I108,B1+I109, B1+I110, B1+I111, B1+I112, B1+I113, B1+I114, B1+I115, B1+I116,B1+I117, B1+I118, B1+I119, B1+I120, B1+I121, B1+I122, B1+I123, B1+I124,B1+I125, B1+I126, B1+I127, B1+I128, B1+I129, B1+I130, B1+I131, B1+I132,B1+I133, B1+I134, B1+I135, B1+I136, B1+I137, B1+I138, B1+I139, B1+I140,B1+I141, B1+I142, B1+I143, B1+I144, B1+I145, B1+I146, B1+I147, B1+I148,B1+I149, B1+I150, B1+I151, B1+I152, B1+I153, B1+I154, B1+I155, B1+I156,B1+I157, B1+I158, B1+I159, B1+I160, B1+I161, B1+I162, B1+I163, B1+I164,B1+I165, B1+I166, B1+I167, B1+I168, B1+I169, B1+I170, B1+I171, B1+I172,B1+I173, B1+I174, B1+I175, B1+I176, B1+I177, B1+I178, B1+I179, B1+I180,B1+I181, B1+I182, B1+I183, B1+I184, B1+I185, B1+I186, B1+I187, B1+I188,B1+I189, B1+I190, B1+I191, B1+I192, B1+I193, B1+I194, B1+I195, B1+I196,B1+I197, B1+I198, B1+I199, B1+I200, B1+I201, B1+I202, B1+I203, B1+I204,B1+I205, B1+I206, B1+I207, B1+I208, B1+I209, B1+I210, B1+I211, B1+I212,B1+I213, B1+I214, B1+I215, B1+I216, B1+I217, B1+I218, B1+I219, B1+I220,B1+I221, B1+I222, B1+I223, B1+I224, B1+I225, B1+I226, B1+I227, B1+I228,B1+I229, B1+I230, B1+I231, B1+I232, B1+I233, B1+I234, B1+I235, B1+I236,B1+I237, B1+I238, B1+I239, B1+I240, B1+I241, B1+I242, B1+I243, B1+I244,B1+I245, B1+I246, B1+I247, B1+I248, B1+I249, B1+I250, B1+I251, B1+I252,B1+I253, B1+I254, B1+I255, B1+I256, B1+I257, B1+I258, B1+I259, B1+I260,B1+I261, B1+I262, B1+I263, B1+I264, B1+I265, B1+I266, B1+I267, B1+I268,B1+I269, B1+I270, B1+I271, B1+I272, B1+I273, B1+I274, B1+I275, B1+I276,B1+I277, B1+I278, B1+I279, B1+I280, B1+I281, B1+I282, B1+I283, B1+I284,B1+I285, B1+I286, B1+I287, B1+I288, B1+I289, B1+I290, B1+I291, B1+I292,B1+I293, B1+I294, B1+I295, B1+I296, B1+I297, B1+I298, B1+I299, B1+I300,B1+I301, B1+I302, B1+I303, B1+I304, B1+I305, B1+I306, B1+I307, B1+I308,B1+I309, B1+I310, B1+I311, B1+I312, B1+I313, B1+I314, B1+I315 orB1+I316;

Preferably, the composition according to the present invention isselected from the group of combinations consisting of:

B1+I8, B1+I15, B1+I21, B1+I27, B1+I35, B1+I77, B1+I94, B1+I95, B1+I96,B1+I100, B1+I105, B1+I106, B1+I108, B1+I109, B1+I110, B1+I111, B1+I116,B1+I134, B1+I141, B1+I142, B1+I143, B1+I144, B1+I146, B1+I147, B1+I149,B1+I150, B1+I151, B1+I152, B1+I153, B1+I155, B1+I178, B1+I184, B1+I197,B1+I201, B1+I202, B1+I206, B1+I213, B1+I213, B1+I216, B1+I219, B1+I220,B1+I221, B1+I222, B1+I223, B1+I229, B1+I230, B1+I231, B1+I232, B1+I233,B1+I244, B1+I253, B1+I262, B1+I272, B1+I277, B1+I278, B1+I291, B1+I300,B1+I309 or B1+I310.

In a more preferred embodiment, the composition according to the presentinvention comprises the following combinations:

B1+I15, B1+I21, B1+I95, B1+I105, B1+I134, B1+I142, B1+I144, B1+I146,B1+I149, B1+I150, B1+I151, B1+I231, B1+I232, B1+I233, B1+I277 orB1+I310.

In a highly preferred embodiment the present invention relates to acomposition comprising isolated gougerotin and at least one insecticideselected from the group consisting of Abamectin, Acephate, Acetamiprid,Acrinathrin, Alpha-Cypermethrin, Beta-Cyfluthrin, Bifenthrin,Buprofezin, Clothianidin, Chlorantraniliprole, Chlorfenapyr,Chlorpyrifos, Carbofuran, Cyantraniliprole, Cyenopyrafen, Cyflumentofen,Cyfluthrin, Cypermethrin, Deltamethrin, Diafenthiuron, Dinotefuran,Emamectin-benzoate, Ethiprole, Fenpyroximate, Fipronil, Flometoquin,Flubendiamide, Fluensulfone, Fluopyram, Flupyradifurone,Gamma-Cyhalothrin, Imidacloprid, Indoxacarb, Lambda-Cyhalothrin,Lufenuron, Metaflumizone, Methiocarb, Methoxyfenozide, Milbemectin,Profenofos, Pyflubumide, Pyrifluquinazone, Spinetoram, Spinosad,Spirodiclofen, Spiromesifen, Spirotetramate, Sulfoxaflor, Tebufenpyrad,Tefluthrin, Thiacloprid, Thiamethoxam, Thiodicarb, Triflumuron,1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-tetrazol-1-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide,1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-tetrazol-2-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide,1-{2-fluoro-4-methyl-5-[(2,2,2-trifluorethyl)sulfinyl]phenyl}-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-amineand Afidopyropen in a synergistically effective amount.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the compositionfurther comprises at least one fungicide, with the proviso that thefungicide is not gougerotin.

Fungicides

In general, “fungicidal” means the ability of a substance to increasemortality or inhibit the growth rate of fungi.

The term “fungus” or “fungi” includes a wide variety of nucleatedsporebearing organisms that are devoid of chlorophyll. Examples of fungiinclude yeasts, molds, mildews, rusts, and mushrooms.

According to one embodiment of the present invention preferredfungicides are selected from the group consisting of

(1) Inhibitors of the ergosterol biosynthesis, for example (F1)aldimorph (1704-28-5), (F2) azaconazole (60207-31-0), (F3) bitertanol(55179-31-2), (F4) bromuconazole (116255-48-2), (F5) cyproconazole(113096-99-4), (F6) diclobutrazole (75736-33-3), (F7) difenoconazole(119446-68-3), (F8) diniconazole (83657-24-3), (F9) diniconazole-M(83657-18-5), (F10) dodemorph (1593-77-7), (F11) dodemorph acetate(31717-87-0), (F12) epoxiconazole (106325-08-0), (F13) etaconazole(60207-93-4), (F14) fenarimol (60168-88-9), (F15) fenbuconazole(114369-43-6), (F16) fenhexamid (126833-17-8), (F17) fenpropidin(67306-00-7), (F18) fenpropimorph (67306-03-0), (F19) fluquinconazole(136426-54-5), (F20) flurprimidol (56425-91-3), (F21) flusilazole(85509-19-9), (F22) flutriafol (76674-21-0), (F23) furconazole(112839-33-5), (F24) furconazole-cis (112839-32-4), (F25) hexaconazole(79983-71-4), (F26) imazalil (60534-80-7), (F27) imazalil sulfate(58594-72-2), (F28) imibenconazole (86598-92-7), (F29) ipconazole(125225-28-7), (F30) metconazole (125116-23-6), (F31) myclobutanil(88671-89-0), (F32) naftifine (65472-88-0), (F33) nuarimol (63284-71-9),(F34) oxpoconazole (174212-12-5), (F35) paclobutrazol (76738-62-0),(F36) pefurazoate (101903-30-4), (F37) penconazole (66246-88-6), (F38)piperalin (3478-94-2), (F39) prochloraz (67747-09-5), (F40)propiconazole (60207-90-1), (F41) prothioconazole (178928-70-6), (F42)pyributicarb (88678-67-5), (F43) pyrifenox (88283-41-4), (F44)quinconazole (103970-75-8), (F45) simeconazole (149508-90-7), (F46)spiroxamine (118134-30-8), (F47) tebuconazole (107534-96-3), (F48)terbinafine (91161-71-6), (F49) tetraconazole (112281-77-3), (F50)triadimefon (43121-43-3), (F51) triadimenol (89482-17-7), (F52)tridemorph (81412-43-3), (F53) triflumizole (68694-11-1), (F54)triforine (26644-46-2), (F55) triticonazole (131983-72-7), (F56)uniconazole (83657-22-1), (F57) uniconazole-p (83657-17-4), (F58)viniconazole (77174-66-4), (F59) voriconazole (137234-62-9), (F60)1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)cycloheptanol (129586-32-9),(F61) methyl1-(2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)-1H-imidazole-5-carboxylate(110323-95-0), (F62)N′-{5-(difluoromethyl)-2-methyl-4-[3-(trimethylsilyl)propoxy]phenyl}-N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide,(F63)N-ethyl-N-methyl-N′-{2-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4-[3-(trimethylsilyl)propoxy]phenyl}imidoformamide,(F64)0-[1-(4-methoxyphenoxy)-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-yl]1H-imidazole-1-carbothioate(111226-71-2);(2) inhibitors of the respiratory chain at complex I or II, for example(F65) bixafen (581809-46-3), (F66) boscalid (188425-85-6), (F67)carboxin (5234-68-4), (F68) diflumetorim (130339-07-0), (F69) fenfuram(24691-80-3), (F70) fluopyram (658066-35-4), (F71) flutolanil(66332-96-5), (F72) fluxapyroxad (907204-31-3), (F73) furametpyr(123572-88-3), (F74) furmecyclox (60568-05-0), (F75) isopyrazam (mixtureof syn-epimeric racemate 1RS,4SR,9RS and anti-epimeric racemate1RS,4SR,9SR) (881685-58-1), (F76) isopyrazam (anti-epimeric racemate1RS,4SR,9SR), (F77) isopyrazam (anti-epimeric enantiomer 1R,4S,9S),(F78) isopyrazam (anti-epimeric enantiomer 1S,4R,9R), (F79) isopyrazam(syn epimeric racemate 1RS,4SR,9RS), (F80) isopyrazam (syn-epimericenantiomer 1R,4S,9R), (F81) isopyrazam (syn-epimeric enantiomer1S,4R,9S), (F82) mepronil (55814-41-0), (F83) oxycarboxin (5259-88-1),(F84) penflufen (494793-67-8), (F85) penthiopyrad (183675-82-3), (F86)sedaxane (874967-67-6), (F87) thifluzamide (130000-40-7), (F88)1-methyl-N-[2-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)phenyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,(F89)3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-N-[2-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)phenyl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,(F90)3-(difluoromethyl)-N-[4-fluoro-2-(1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropoxy)phenyl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,(F91)N-[1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxypropan-2-yl]-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide(1092400-95-7), (F92)5,8-difluoro-N-[2-(2-fluoro-4-{[4-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]oxy}phenyl)ethyl]quinazolin-4-amine(1210070-84-0), (F93) benzovindiflupyr, (F94)N-[(1S,4R)-9-(dichloromethylene)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,4-methanonaphthalen-5-yl]-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,(F95)N-[(1R,4S)-9-(dichloromethylene)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,4-methanonaphthalen-5-yl]-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,(F96)3-(Difluormethyl)-1-methyl-N-(1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid,(F97)1,3,5-Trimethyl-N-(1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid,(F98)1-Methyl-3-(trifluormethyl)-N-(1,3,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid,(F99)1-Methyl-3-(trifluormethyl)-N-[(1S)-1,3,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid,(F100)1-Methyl-3-(trifluormethyl)-N-[(1R)-1,3,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid,(F101)3-(Difluormethyl)-1-methyl-N-[(3S)-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid,(F102)3-(Difluormethyl)-1-methyl-N-[(3R)-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid,(F103)1,3,5-Trimethyl-N-[(3R)-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid,(F104)1,3,5-Trimethyl-N-[(3S)-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid;(3) inhibitors of the respiratory chain at complex III, for example(F105) ametoctradin (865318-97-4), (F106) amisulbrom (348635-87-0),(F107) azoxystrobin (131860-33-8), (F108) cyazofamid (120116-88-3),(F109) coumethoxystrobin (850881-30-0), (F110) coumoxystrobin(850881-70-8), (F111) dimoxystrobin (141600-52-4), (F112) enestroburin(238410-11-2), (F113) famoxadone (131807-57-3), (F114) fenamidone(161326-34-7), (F115) fenoxystrobin (918162-02-4), (F116) fluoxastrobin(361377-29-9), (F117) kresoxim-methyl (143390-89-0), (F118)metominostrobin (133408-50-1), (F119) orysastrobin (189892-69-1), (F120)picoxystrobin (117428-22-5), (F121) pyraclostrobin (175013-18-0), (F122)pyrametostrobin (915410-70-7), (F123) pyraoxystrobin (862588-11-2),(F124) pyribencarb (799247-52-2), (F125) triclopyricarb (902760-40-1),(F126) trifloxystrobin (141517-21-7), (F127)(2E)-2-(2-{[6-(3-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-5-fluoropyrimidin-4-yl]oxy}phenyl)-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methylethanamide,(F128)(2E)-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methyl-2-(2-{[({(1E)-1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethylidene}amino)oxy]methyl}phenyl)ethanamide,(F129)(2E)-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methyl-2-{2-[(E)-({1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethoxy}imino)methyl]phenyl}ethanamide(158169-73-4), (F130)(2E)-2-{2-[({[(1E)-1-(3-{[(E)-1-fluoro-2-phenylethenyl]oxy}phenyl)ethylidene]amino}oxy)methyl]phenyl}-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methylethanamide(326896-28-0), (F131)(2E)-2-{2-[({[(2E,3E)-4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)but-3-en-2-ylidene]amino}oxy)methyl]phenyl}-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methylethanamide,(F132)2-chloro-N-(1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl)pyridine-3-carboxamide(119899-14-8), (F133)5-methoxy-2-methyl-4-(1-{[({(1E)-1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethylidene}amino)oxy]methyl}phenyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one,(F134) methyl(2E)-2-{2-[({cyclopropyl[(4-methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl}sulfanyl)methyl]phenyl}-3-methoxyprop-2-enoate(149601-03-6), (F135)N-(3-ethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexyl)-3-(formylamino)-2-hydroxybenzamide(226551-21-9), (F136)2-{2-[(2,5-dimethylphenoxy)methyl]phenyl}-2-methoxy-N-methylacetamide(173662-97-0), (F137)(2R)-2-{2-[(2,5-dimethylphenoxy)methyl]phenyl}-2-methoxy-N-methylacetamide(394657-24-0);(4) Inhibitors of the mitosis and cell division, for example (F138)benomyl (17804-35-2), (F139) carbendazim (10605-21-7), (F140)chlorfenazole (3574-96-7), (F141) diethofencarb (87130-20-9), (F142)ethaboxam (162650-77-3), (F143) fluopicolide (239110-15-7), (F144)fuberidazole (3878-19-1), (F145) pencycuron (66063-05-6), (F146)thiabendazole (148-79-8), (F147) thiophanate-methyl (23564-05-8), (F148)thiophanate (23564-06-9), (F149) zoxamide (156052-68-5), (F150)5-chloro-7-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (214706-53-3), (F151)3-chloro-5-(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)pyridazine(1002756-87-7);(5) Compounds capable to have a multisite action, like for example(F152) bordeaux mixture (8011-63-0), (F153) captafol (2425-06-1), (F154)captan (133-06-2), (F155) chlorothalonil (1897-45-6), (F156) copperhydroxide (20427-59-2), (F157) copper naphthenate (1338-02-9), (F158)copper oxide (1317-39-1), (F159) copper oxychloride (1332-40-7), (F160)copper (2+) sulfate (7758-98-7), (F161) dichlofluanid (1085-98-9),(F162) dithianon (3347-22-6), (F163) dodine (2439-10-3), (F164) dodinefree base, (F165) ferbam (14484-64-1), (F166) fluorofolpet (719-96-0),(F167) folpet (133-07-3), (F168) guazatine (108173-90-6), (F169)guazatine acetate, (F170) iminoctadine (13516-27-3), (F171) iminoctadinealbesilate (169202-06-6), (F172) iminoctadine triacetate (57520-17-9),(F173) mancopper (53988-93-5), (F174) mancozeb (8018-01-7), (F175) maneb(12427-38-2), (F176) metiram (9006-42-2), (F177) metiram zinc(9006-42-2), (F178) oxine-copper (10380-28-6), (F179) propamidine(104-32-5), (F180) propineb (12071-83-9), (F181) sulphur and sulphurpreparations including calcium polysulphide (7704-34-9), (F182) thiram(137-26-8), (F183) tolylfluanid (731-27-1), (F184) zineb (12122-67-7),(F185) ziram (137-30-4);(6) Compounds capable to induce a host defense, like for example (F186)acibenzolar-S-methyl (135158-54-2), (F187) isotianil (224049-04-1),(F188) probenazole (27605-76-1), (F189) tiadinil (223580-51-6);(7) Inhibitors of the amino acid and/or protein biosynthesis, forexample (F190) andoprim (23951-85-1), (F191) blasticidin-S (2079-00-7),(F192) cyprodinil (121552-61-2), (F193) kasugamycin (6980-18-3), (F194)kasugamycin hydrochloride hydrate (19408-46-9), (F195) mepanipyrim(110235-47-7), (F196) pyrimethanil (53112-28-0), (F197)3-(5-fluoro-3,3,4,4-tetramethyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1-yl)quinoline(861647-32-7);(8) Inhibitors of the ATP production, for example (F198) fentin acetate(900-95-8), (F199) fentin chloride (639-58-7), (F200) fentin hydroxide(76-87-9), (F201) silthiofam (175217-20-6);(9) Inhibitors of the cell wall synthesis, for example (F202)benthiavalicarb (177406-68-7), (F203) dimethomorph (110488-70-5), (F204)flumorph (211867-47-9), (F205) iprovalicarb (140923-17-7), (F206)mandipropamid (374726-62-2), (F207) polyoxins (11113-80-7), (F208)polyoxorim (22976-86-9), (F209) validamycin A (37248-47-8), (F210)valifenalate (283159-94-4; 283159-90-0);(10) Inhibitors of the lipid and membrane synthesis, for example (F211)biphenyl (92-52-4), (F212) chloroneb (2675-77-6), (F213) dicloran(99-30-9), (F214) edifenphos (17109-49-8), (F215) etridiazole(2593-15-9), (F216) iodocarb (55406-53-6), (F217) iprobenfos(26087-47-8), (F218) isoprothiolane (50512-35-1), (F219) propamocarb(25606-41-1), (F220) propamocarb hydrochloride (25606-41-1), (F221)prothiocarb (19622-08-3), (F222) pyrazophos (13457-18-6), (F223)quintozene (82-68-8), (F224) tecnazene (117-18-0), (F225)tolclofos-methyl (57018-04-9);(11) Inhibitors of the melanine biosynthesis, for example (F226)carpropamid (104030-54-8), (F227) diclocymet (139920-32-4), (F228)fenoxanil (115852-48-7), (F229) phthalide (27355-22-2), (F230)pyroquilon (57369-32-1), (F231) tricyclazole (41814-78-2), (F232)2,2,2-trifluoroethyl{3-methyl-1-[(4-methylbenzoyl)amino]butan-2-yl}carbamate (851524-22-6);(12) Inhibitors of the nucleic acid synthesis, for example (F233)benalaxyl (71626-11-4), (F234) benalaxyl-M (kiralaxyl) (98243-83-5),(F235) bupirimate (41483-43-6), (F236) clozylacon (67932-85-8), (F237)dimethirimol (5221-53-4), (F238) ethirimol (23947-60-6), (F239)furalaxyl (57646-30-7), (F240) hymexazol (10004-44-1), (F241) metalaxyl(57837-19-1), (F242) metalaxyl-M (mefenoxam) (70630-17-0), (F243)ofurace (58810-48-3), (F244) oxadixyl (77732-09-3), (F245) oxolinic acid(14698-29-4);(13) Inhibitors of the signal transduction, for example (F246)chlozolinate (84332-86-5), (F247) fenpiclonil (74738-17-3), (F248)fludioxonil (131341-86-1), (F249) iprodione (36734-19-7), (F250)procymidone (32809-16-8), (F251) quinoxyfen (124495-18-7), (F252)vinclozolin (50471-44-8);(14) Compounds capable to act as an uncoupler, like for example (F253)binapacryl (485-31-4), (F254) dinocap (131-72-6), (F255) ferimzone(89269-64-7), (F256) fluazinam (79622-59-6), (F257) meptyldinocap(131-72-6);(15) Further compounds, like for example (F258) benthiazole(21564-17-0), (F259) bethoxazin (163269-30-5), (F260) capsimycin(70694-08-5), (F261) carvone (99-49-0), (F262) chinomethionat(2439-01-2), (F263) pyriofenone (chlazafenone) (688046-61-9), (F264)cufraneb (11096-18-7), (F265) cyflufenamid (180409-60-3), (F266)cymoxanil (57966-95-7), (F267) cyprosulfamide (221667-31-8), (F268)dazomet (533-74-4), (F269) debacarb (62732-91-6), (F270) dichlorophen(97-23-4), (F271) diclomezine (62865-36-5), (F272) difenzoquat(49866-87-7), (F273) difenzoquat methylsulphate (43222-48-6), (F724)diphenylamine (122-39-4), (F275) ecomate, (F276) fenpyrazamine(473798-59-3), (F277) flumetover (154025-04-4), (F278) fluoroimide(41205-21-4), (F279) flusulfamide (106917-52-6), (F280) flutianil(304900-25-2), (F281) fosetyl-aluminium (39148-24-8), (F282)fosetyl-calcium, (F283) fosetyl-sodium (39148-16-8), (F284)hexachlorobenzene (118-74-1), (F285) irumamycin (81604-73-1), (F286)methasulfocarb (66952-49-6), (F287) methyl isothiocyanate (556-61-6),(F288) metrafenone (220899-03-6), (F289) mildiomycin (67527-71-3),(F290) natamycin (7681-93-8), (F291) nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate(15521-65-0), (F292) nitrothal-isopropyl (10552-74-6), (F293)octhilinone (26530-20-1), (F294) oxamocarb (917242-12-7), (F295)oxyfenthiin (34407-87-9), (F296) pentachlorophenol and salts (87-86-5),(F297) phenothrin, (F298) phosphorous acid and its salts (13598-36-2),(F299) propamocarb-fosetylate, (F300) propanosine-sodium (88498-02-6),(F301) proquinazid (189278-12-4), (F302) pyrimorph (868390-90-3), (F303)(2E)-3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-3-(2-chloropyridin-4-yl)-1-(morpholin-4-yl)prop-2-en-1-one(1231776-28-5), (F304)(2Z)-3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-3-(2-chloropyridin-4-yl)-1-(morpholin-4-yl)prop-2-en-1-one(1231776-29-6), (F305) pyrrolnitrine (1018-71-9), (F306) tebufloquin(376645-78-2), (F307) tecloftalam (76280-91-6), (F308) tolnifanide(304911-98-6), (F309) triazoxide (72459-58-6), (F310) trichlamide(70193-21-4), (F311) zarilamid (84527-51-5), (F312)(3S,6S,7R,8R)-8-benzyl-3-[({3-[(isobutyryloxy)methoxy]-4-methoxypyridin-2-yl}carbonyl)amino]-6-methyl-4,9-dioxo-1,5-dioxonan-7-yl2-methylpropanoate (517875-34-2), (F313)1-(4-{4-[(5R)-5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)-2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]ethanone(1003319-79-6), (F314)1-(4-{4-[(5S)-5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)-2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]ethanone(1003319-80-9), (F315)1-(4-{4-[5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)-2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]ethanone(1003318-67-9), (F316) 1-(4-methoxyphenoxy)-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-yl1H-imidazole-1-carboxylate (111227-17-9), (F317)2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-4-(methylsulfonyl)pyridine (13108-52-6), (F318)2,3-dibutyl-6-chlorothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one (221451-58-7),(F319)2,6-dimethyl-1H,5H-[1,4]dithiino[2,3-c:5,6-c′]dipyrrole-1,3,5,7(2H,6H)-tetrone,(F320)2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-1-(4-{4-[(5R)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)ethanone(1003316-53-7), (F321)2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-1-(4-{4-[(5S)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)ethanone(1003316-54-8), (F322)2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-1-{4-[4-(5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl)-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]piperidin-1-yl}ethanone(1003316-51-5), (F323) 2-butoxy-6-iodo-3-propyl-4H-chromen-4-one, (F324)2-chloro-5-[2-chloro-1-(2,6-difluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl]pyridine,(F325) 2-phenylphenol and salts (90-43-7), (F326)3-(4,4,5-trifluoro-3,3-dimethyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1-yl)quinoline(861647-85-0), (F327) 3,4,5-trichloropyridine-2,6-dicarbonitrile(17824-85-0), (F328)3-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-1,2-oxazolidin-3-yl]pyridine, (F329)3-chloro-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-6-methylpyridazine,(F330) 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-3,6-dimethylpyridazine,(F331) 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol, (F332)5-chloro-N′-phenyl-N′-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)thiophene-2-sulfonohydrazide(134-31-6), (F333) 5-fluoro-2-[(4-fluorobenzyl)oxy]pyrimidin-4-amine(1174376-11-4), (F334) 5-fluoro-2-[(4-methylbenzyl)oxy]pyrimidin-4-amine(1174376-25-0), (F335)5-methyl-6-octyl[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine, (F336) ethyl(2Z)-3-amino-2-cyano-3-phenylprop-2-enoate, (F337)N′-(4-{[3-(4-chlorobenzyl)-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl]oxy}-2,5-dimethylphenyl)-N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide,(F338)N-(4-chlorobenzyl)-3-[3-methoxy-4-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)phenyl]propanamide,(F339)N-[(4-chlorophenyl)(cyano)methyl]-3-[3-methoxy-4-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)phenyl]propanamide,(F340)N-[(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)methyl]-2,4-dichloropyridine-3-carboxamide,(F341)N-[1-(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-2,4-dichloropyridine-3-carboxamide,(F342)N-[1-(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-2-fluoro-4-iodopyridine-3-carboxamide,(F343)N-{(E)-[(cyclopropylmethoxy)imino][6-(difluoromethoxy)-2,3-difluorophenyl]methyl}-2-phenylacetamide(221201-92-9), (F344)N-{(Z)-[(cyclopropylmethoxy)imino][6-(difluoromethoxy)-2,3-difluorophenyl]methyl}-2-phenylacetamide(221201-92-9), (F345)N′-{4-[(3-tert-butyl-4-cyano-1,2-thiazol-5-yl)oxy]-2-chloro-5-methylphenyl}-N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide,(F346)N-methyl-2-(1-{[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetyl}piperidin-4-yl)-N-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl)-1,3-thiazole-4-carboxamide(922514-49-6), (F347)N-methyl-2-(1-{[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetyl}piperidin-4-yl)-N-[(1R)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl]-1,3-thiazole-4-carboxamide(922514-07-6), (F348)N-methyl-2-(1-{[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetyl}piperidin-4-yl)-N-[(1S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl]-1,3-thiazole-4-carboxamide(922514-48-5), (F349) pentyl{6-[({[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)(phenyl)methylidene]amino}oxy)methyl]pyridin-2-yl}carbamate,(F350) phenazine-1-carboxylic acid, (F351) quinolin-8-ol (134-31-6),(F352) quinolin-8-ol sulfate (2:1) (134-31-6), (F353) tert-butyl{6-[({[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)(phenyl)methylene]amino}oxy)methyl]pyridin-2-yl}carbamate;(16) Further compounds, like for example (F354)1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-N-[2′-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,(F355)N-(4′-chlorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,(F356)N-(2′,4′-dichlorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,(F357)3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-N-[4′-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,(F358)N-(2′,5′-difluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,(F359)3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-N-[4′-(prop-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,(F360)5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-N-[4′-(prop-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,(F361)2-chloro-N-[4′-(prop-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]pyridine-3-carboxamide,(F362)3-(difluoromethyl)-N-[4′-(3,3-dimethylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,(F363)N-[4′-(3,3-dimethylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,(F364)3-(difluoromethyl)-N-(4′-ethynylbiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,(F365)N-(4′-ethynylbiphenyl-2-yl)-5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,(F366) 2-chloro-N-(4′-ethynylbiphenyl-2-yl)pyridine-3-carboxamide,(F367)2-chloro-N-[4′-(3,3-dimethylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]pyridine-3-carboxamide,(F368)4-(difluoromethyl)-2-methyl-N-[4′-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,(F369)5-fluoro-N-[4′-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,(F370)2-chloro-N-[4′-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]pyridine-3-carboxamide,(F371)3-(difluoromethyl)-N-[4′-(3-methoxy-3-methylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,(F372)5-fluoro-N-[4′-(3-methoxy-3-methylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,(F373)2-chloro-N-[4′-(3-methoxy-3-methylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]pyridine-3-carboxamide,(F374)(5-bromo-2-methoxy-4-methylpyridin-3-yl)(2,3,4-trimethoxy-6-methylphenyl)methanone,(F375)N-[2-(4-{[3-(4-chlorophenyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl]oxy}-3-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-N2-(methylsulfonyl)valinamide(220706-93-4), (F376) 4-oxo-4-[(2-phenylethyl)amino]butanoic acid,(F377) but-3-yn-1-yl{6-[({[(Z)-(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)(phenyl)methylene]amino}oxy)methyl]pyridin-2-yl}carbamate,(F378) 4-Amino-5-fluoropyrimidin-2-ol (mesomere Form:6-Amino-5-fluoropyrimidin-2(1H)-on), (F379) propyl3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate and (F380) Oryzastrobin.

All named fungicides of the classes (1) to (16) (i. e. F1 to F380) can,if their functional groups enable this, optionally form salts withsuitable bases or acids.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the at leastfungicide is a synthetic fungicide.

In one embodiment of the present invention the composition comprises twoor more fungicides. In a preferred embodiment the composition comprisestwo or more of the above-mentioned preferred fungicides.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention thefungicide is selected from the group consisting of (1) Inhibitors of theergosterol biosynthesis, for example (F3) bitertanol, (F4) bromuconazole(116255-48-2), (F5) cyproconazole (113096-99-4), (F7) difenoconazole(119446-68-3), (F12) epoxiconazole (106325-08-0), (F16) fenhexamid(126833-17-8), (F17) fenpropidin (67306-00-7), (F18) fenpropimorph(67306-03-0), (F19) fluquinconazole (136426-54-5), (F22) flutriafol,(F26) imazalil, (F29) ipconazole (125225-28-7), (F30) metconazole(125116-23-6), (F31) myclobutanil (88671-89-0), (F37) penconazole(66246-88-6), (F39) prochloraz (67747-09-5), (F40) propiconazole(60207-90-1), (F41) prothioconazole (178928-70-6), (F44) quinconazole(103970-75-8), (F46) spiroxamine (118134-30-8), (F47) tebuconazole(107534-96-3), (F51) triadimenol (89482-17-7), (F55) triticonazole(131983-72-7);

(2) inhibitors of the respiratory chain at complex I or II, for example(F65) bixafen (581809-46-3), (F66) boscalid (188425-85-6), (F67)carboxin (5234-68-4), (F70) fluopyram (658066-35-4), (F71) flutolanil(66332-96-5), (F72) fluxapyroxad (907204-31-3), (F73) furametpyr(123572-88-3), (F75) isopyrazam (mixture of syn-epimeric racemate1RS,4SR,9RS and anti-epimeric racemate 1RS,4SR,9SR) (881685-58-1), (F76)isopyrazam (anti-epimeric racemate 1RS,4SR,9SR), (F77) isopyrazam(anti-epimeric enantiomer 1R,4S,9S), (F78) isopyrazam (anti-epimericenantiomer 1S,4R,9R), (F79) isopyrazam (syn epimeric racemate1RS,4SR,9RS), (F80) isopyrazam (syn-epimeric enantiomer 1R,4S,9R), (F81)isopyrazam (syn-epimeric enantiomer 1S,4R,9S), (F84) penflufen(494793-67-8), (F85) penthiopyrad (183675-82-3), (F86) sedaxane(874967-67-6), (F87) thifluzamide (130000-40-7), (F91)N-[1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxypropan-2-yl]-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide(1092400-95-7), (F98)1-Methyl-3-(trifluormethyl)-N-(1,3,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid,(F99)1-Methyl-3-(trifluormethyl)-N-[(1S)-1,3,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid,(F100)1-Methyl-3-(trifluormethyl)-N-[(1R)-1,3,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid,(F101)3-(Difluormethyl)-1-methyl-N-[(3S)-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid,(F102)3-(Difluormethyl)-1-methyl-N-[(3R)-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid;(3) inhibitors of the respiratory chain at complex III, for example(F105) ametoctradin (865318-97-4), (F106) amisulbrom (348635-87-0),(F107) azoxystrobin (131860-33-8), (F108) cyazofamid (120116-88-3),(F111) dimoxystrobin (141600-52-4), (F112) enestroburin (238410-11-2),(F113) famoxadone (131807-57-3), (F114) fenamidone (161326-34-7), (F116)fluoxastrobin (361377-29-9), (F117) kresoxim-methyl (143390-89-0),(F118) metominostrobin (133408-50-1), (F119) orysastrobin (189892-69-1),(F120) picoxystrobin (117428-22-5), (F121) pyraclostrobin (175013-18-0),(F124) pyribencarb (799247-52-2), (F126) trifloxystrobin (141517-21-7);(4) Inhibitors of the mitosis and cell division, for example (F139)carbendazim (10605-21-7), (F140) chlorfenazole (3574-96-7), (F141)diethofencarb (87130-20-9), (F142) ethaboxam (162650-77-3), (F143)fluopicolide, (F144) fuberidazole (3878-19-1), (F145) pencycuron(66063-05-6), (F147) thiophanate-methyl (23564-05-8), (F149) zoxamide(156052-68-5);(5) Compounds capable to have a multisite action, like for example(F154) captan (133-06-2), (F155) chlorothalonil (1897-45-6), (F156)copper hydroxide (20427-59-2), (F159) copper oxychloride (1332-40-7),(F162) dithianon (3347-22-6), (F163) dodine (2439-10-3), (F167) folpet(133-07-3), (F168) guazatine (108173-90-6), (F172) iminoctadinetriacetate (57520-17-9), (F174) mancozeb (8018-01-7), (F180) propineb(12071-83-9), (F181) sulphur and sulphur preparations including calciumpolysulphide (7704-34-9), (F182) thiram (137-26-8);(6) Compounds capable to induce a host defense, like for example (F186)acibenzolar-S-methyl (135158-54-2), (F187) isotianil (224049-04-1),(F189) tiadinil (223580-51-6);(7) Inhibitors of the amino acid and/or protein biosynthesis, forexample (F192) cyprodinil (121552-61-2), (F196) pyrimethanil(53112-28-0);(9) Inhibitors of the cell wall synthesis, for example (F202)benthiavalicarb (177406-68-7), (F203) dimethomorph (110488-70-5), (F205)iprovalicarb (140923-17-7), (F206) mandipropamid (374726-62-2), (F210)valifenalate (283159-94-4; 283159-90-0);(10) Inhibitors of the lipid and membrane synthesis, for example (F216)iodocarb (55406-53-6), (F217) iprobenfos (26087-47-8), (F220)propamocarb hydrochloride (25606-41-1), (F225) tolclofos-methyl;11) Inhibitors of the melanine biosynthesis, for example (F226)carpropamid(12) Inhibitors of the nucleic acid synthesis, for example (F233)benalaxyl (71626-11-4), (F234) benalaxyl-M (kiralaxyl) (98243-83-5),(F239) furalaxyl (57646-30-7), (F240) hymexazol (10004-44-1), (F241)metalaxyl (57837-19-1), (F242) metalaxyl-M (mefenoxam) (70630-17-0),(F244) oxadixyl (77732-09-3);(13) Inhibitors of the signal transduction, for example (F247)fenpiclonil (74738-17-3), (F248) fludioxonil (131341-86-1), (F249)iprodione (36734-19-7), (F251) quinoxyfen (124495-18-7), (F252)vinclozolin (50471-44-8);(14) Compounds capable to act as an uncoupler, like for example (F256)fluazinam (79622-59-6);(15) Further compounds, like for example (F266) cymoxanil (57966-95-7),(F280) flutianil (304900-25-2), (F281) fosetyl-aluminium (39148-24-8),(F286) methasulfocarb (66952-49-6), (F287) methyl isothiocyanate(556-61-6), (F288) metrafenone (220899-03-6), (F298) phosphorous acidand its salts (13598-36-2), (F301) proquinazid (189278-12-4), (F309)triazoxide (72459-58-6) and (F319)2,6-dimethyl-1H,5H-[1,4]dithiino[2,3-c:5,6-c′]dipyrrole-1,3,5,7(2H,6H)-tetrone.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the fungizide, e.g., thefungizide for use in seed treatment is selected from the groupconsisting of Carbendazim (F139), Carboxin (F67), Difenoconazole (F7),Fludioxonil (F248), Fluquinconazole (F19), Fluxapyroxad (F72),Ipconazole (F29), Isotianil (F187), Mefenoxam (F242), Metalaxyl (F241),Pencycuron (F145), Penflufen (F84), Prothioconazole (F41), Prochloraz(F39), Pyraclostrobin (F121), Sedaxane (F86), Silthiofam (F201),Tebuconazole (F47), Thiram (F182), Trifloxystrobin (F126), andTriticonazole (F55).

In all combinations described above and below, B1 may be replaced withisolated gougerotin based on a mutant of Streptomyces microflavus strainNRRL B-50550 that produces more gougerotin than the parent NRRL B-50550strain, such as Streptomyces microflavus strain M.

Further Additives

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a composition asdescribed above additionally comprising at least one auxiliary selectedfrom the group consisting of extenders, solvents, spontaneity promoters,carriers, emulsifiers, dispersants, frost protectants, thickeners andadjuvants. Those compositions are referred to as formulations.

Accordingly, in one aspect of the present invention such formulations,and application forms prepared from them, are provided as cropprotection agents and/or pesticidal agents, such as drench, drip andspray liquors, comprising the composition of the invention. Theapplication forms may comprise further crop protection agents and/orpesticidal agents, and/or activity-enhancing adjuvants such aspenetrants, examples being vegetable oils such as, for example, rapeseedoil, sunflower oil, mineral oils such as, for example, liquid paraffins,alkyl esters of vegetable fatty acids, such as rapeseed oil or soybeanoil methyl esters, or alkanol alkoxylates, and/or spreaders such as, forexample, alkylsiloxanes and/or salts, examples being organic orinorganic ammonium or phosphonium salts, examples being ammoniumsulphate or diammonium hydrogen phosphate, and/or retention promoterssuch as dioctyl sulphosuccinate or hydroxypropylguar polymers and/orhumectants such as glycerol and/or fertilizers such as ammonium,potassium or phosphorous fertilizers, for example.

Examples of typical formulations include water-soluble liquids (SL),emulsifiable concentrates (EC), emulsions in water (EW), suspensionconcentrates (SC, SE, FS, OD), water-dispersible granules (WG), granules(GR) and capsule concentrates (CS); these and other possible types offormulation are described, for example, by Crop Life International andin Pesticide Specifications, Manual on development and use of FAO andWHO specifications for pesticides, FAO Plant Production and ProtectionPapers—173, prepared by the FAO/WHO Joint Meeting on PesticideSpecifications, 2004, ISBN: 9251048576. The formulations may compriseactive agrochemical compounds other than one or more active compounds ofthe invention.

The formulations or application forms in question preferably compriseauxiliaries, such as extenders, solvents, spontaneity promoters,carriers, emulsifiers, dispersants, frost protectants, biocides,thickeners and/or other auxiliaries, such as adjuvants, for example. Anadjuvant in this context is a component which enhances the biologicaleffect of the formulation, without the component itself having abiological effect. Examples of adjuvants are agents which promote theretention, spreading, attachment to the leaf surface, or penetration.

These formulations are produced in a known manner, for example by mixingthe active compounds with auxiliaries such as, for example, extenders,solvents and/or solid carriers and/or further auxiliaries, such as, forexample, surfactants. The formulations are prepared either in suitableplants or else before or during the application.

Suitable for use as auxiliaries are substances which are suitable forimparting to the formulation of the active compound or the applicationforms prepared from these formulations (such as, e.g., usable cropprotection agents, such as spray liquors or seed dressings) particularproperties such as certain physical, technical and/or biologicalproperties.

Suitable extenders are, for example, water, polar and nonpolar organicchemical liquids, for example from the classes of the aromatic andnon-aromatic hydrocarbons (such as paraffins, alkylbenzenes,alkylnaphthalenes, chlorobenzenes), the alcohols and polyols (which, ifappropriate, may also be substituted, etherified and/or esterified), theketones (such as acetone, cyclohexanone), esters (including fats andoils) and (poly)ethers, the unsubstituted and substituted amines,amides, lactams (such as N-alkylpyrrolidones) and lactones, thesulphones and sulphoxides (such as dimethyl sulphoxide).

If the extender used is water, it is also possible to employ, forexample, organic solvents as auxiliary solvents. Essentially, suitableliquid solvents are: aromatics such as xylene, toluene oralkylnaphthalenes, chlorinated aromatics and chlorinated aliphatichydrocarbons such as chlorobenzenes, chloroethylenes or methylenechloride, aliphatic hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane or paraffins, forexample petroleum fractions, mineral and vegetable oils, alcohols suchas butanol or glycol and also their ethers and esters, ketones such asacetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone or cyclohexanone,strongly polar solvents such as dimethylformamide and dimethylsulphoxide, and also water.

In principle it is possible to use all suitable solvents. Suitablesolvents are, for example, aromatic hydrocarbons, such as xylene,toluene or alkylnaphthalenes, for example, chlorinated aromatic oraliphatic hydrocarbons, such as chlorobenzene, chloroethylene ormethylene chloride, for example, aliphatic hydrocarbons, such ascyclohexane, for example, paraffins, petroleum fractions, mineral andvegetable oils, alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol,butanol or glycol, for example, and also their ethers and esters,ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone orcyclohexanone, for example, strongly polar solvents, such as dimethylsulphoxide, and water.

All suitable carriers may in principle be used. Suitable carriers are inparticular: for example, ammonium salts and ground natural minerals suchas kaolins, clays, talc, chalk, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite ordiatomaceous earth, and ground synthetic minerals, such as finelydivided silica, alumina and natural or synthetic silicates, resins,waxes and/or solid fertilizers. Mixtures of such carriers may likewisebe used. Carriers suitable for granules include the following: forexample, crushed and fractionated natural minerals such as calcite,marble, pumice, sepiolite, dolomite, and also synthetic granules ofinorganic and organic meals, and also granules of organic material suchas sawdust, paper, coconut shells, maize cobs and tobacco stalks.

Liquefied gaseous extenders or solvents may also be used. Particularlysuitable are those extenders or carriers which at standard temperatureand under standard pressure are gaseous, examples being aerosolpropellants, such as halogenated hydrocarbons, and also butane, propane,nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

Examples of emulsifiers and/or foam-formers, dispersants or wettingagents having ionic or nonionic properties, or mixtures of thesesurface-active substances, are salts of polyacrylic acid, salts oflignosulphonic acid, salts of phenolsulphonic acid ornaphthalenesulphonic acid, polycondensates of ethylene oxide with fattyalcohols or with fatty acids or with fatty amines, with substitutedphenols (preferably alkylphenols or arylphenols), salts ofsulphosuccinic esters, taurine derivatives (preferably alkyltaurates),phosphoric esters of polyethoxylated alcohols or phenols, fatty acidesters of polyols, and derivatives of the compounds containingsulphates, sulphonates and phosphates, examples being alkylarylpolyglycol ethers, alkylsulphonates, alkyl sulphates, arylsulphonates,protein hydrolysates, lignin-sulphite waste liquors and methylcellulose.The presence of a surface-active substance is advantageous if one of theactive compounds and/or one of the inert carriers is not soluble inwater and if application takes place in water.

Further auxiliaries that may be present in the formulations and in theapplication forms derived from them include colorants such as inorganicpigments, examples being iron oxide, titanium oxide, Prussian Blue, andorganic dyes, such as alizarin dyes, azo dyes and metal phthalocyaninedyes, and nutrients and trace nutrients, such as salts of iron,manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum and zinc.

Stabilizers, such as low-temperature stabilizers, preservatives,antioxidants, light stabilizers or other agents which improve chemicaland/or physical stability may also be present. Additionally present maybe foam-formers or defoamers.

Furthermore, the formulations and application forms derived from themmay also comprise, as additional auxiliaries, stickers such ascarboxymethylcellulose, natural and synthetic polymers in powder,granule or latex form, such as gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylacetate, and also natural phospholipids, such as cephalins andlecithins, and synthetic phospholipids. Further possible auxiliariesinclude mineral and vegetable oils.

There may possibly be further auxiliaries present in the formulationsand the application forms derived from them. Examples of such additivesinclude fragrances, protective colloids, binders, adhesives, thickeners,thixotropic substances, penetrants, retention promoters, stabilizers,sequestrants, complexing agents, humectants and spreaders. Generallyspeaking, the active compounds may be combined with any solid or liquidadditive commonly used for formulation purposes.

Suitable retention promoters include all those substances which reducethe dynamic surface tension, such as dioctyl sulphosuccinate, orincrease the viscoelasticity, such as hydroxypropylguar polymers, forexample.

Suitable penetrants in the present context include all those substanceswhich are typically used in order to enhance the penetration of activeagrochemical compounds into plants. Penetrants in this context aredefined in that, from the (generally aqueous) application liquor and/orfrom the spray coating, they are able to penetrate the cuticle of theplant and thereby increase the mobility of the active compounds in thecuticle. This property can be determined using the method described inthe literature (Baur et al., 1997, Pesticide Science 51, 131-152).Examples include alcohol alkoxylates such as coconut fatty ethoxylate(10) or isotridecyl ethoxylate (12), fatty acid esters such as rapeseedor soybean oil methyl esters, fatty amine alkoxylates such astallowamine ethoxylate (15), or ammonium and/or phosphonium salts suchas ammonium sulphate or diammonium hydrogen phosphate, for example.

The formulations preferably comprise between 0.00000001% and 98% byweight of active compound or, with particular preference, between 0.01%and 95% by weight of active compound, more preferably between 0.5% and90% by weight of active compound, based on the weight of theformulation. The content of the active compound is defined as the sum ofthe isolated gougerotin and the at least one insecticide.

The active compound content of the application forms (crop protectionproducts) prepared from the formulations may vary within wide ranges.The active compound concentration of the application forms may besituated typically between 0.00000001% and 95% by weight of activecompound, preferably between 0.00001% and 1% by weight, based on theweight of the application form. Application takes place in a customarymanner adapted to the application forms.

Furthermore, in one aspect of the present invention a kit of parts isprovided comprising isolated gougerotin and at least one insecticide ina synergistically effective amount, with the proviso that theinsecticide is not gougerotin, in a spatially separated arrangement.

In a further embodiment of the present invention the above-mentioned kitof parts further comprises at least one fungicide, with the proviso thatd the fungicide is not gougerotin. The fungicide can be present eitherin gougerotin component of the kit of parts or in the insecticidecomponent of the kit of parts being spatially separated or in both ofthese components. Preferably, the fungicide is present in theinsecticide component.

Moreover, the kit of parts according to the present invention canadditionally comprise at least one auxiliary selected from the groupconsisting of extenders, solvents, spontaneity promoters, carriers,emulsifiers, dispersants, frost protectants, thickeners and adjuvants asmentioned below. This at least one auxiliary can be present either inthe gougerotin component of the kit of parts or in the insecticidecomponent of the kit of parts being spatially separated or in both ofthese components.

In another aspect of the present invention the composition as describedabove is used for reducing overall damage of plants and plant parts aswell as losses in harvested fruits or vegetables caused by insects,nematodes and/or phytopathogens.

Furthermore, in another aspect of the present invention the compositionas described above increases the overall plant health.

The term “plant health” generally comprises various sorts ofimprovements of plants that are not connected to the control of pests.For example, advantageous properties that may be mentioned are improvedcrop characteristics including: emergence, crop yields, protein content,oil content, starch content, more developed root system, improved rootgrowth, improved root size maintenance, improved root effectiveness,improved stress tolerance (e.g. against drought, heat, salt, UV, water,cold), reduced ethylene (reduced production and/or inhibition ofreception), tillering increase, increase in plant height, bigger leafblade, less dead basal leaves, stronger tillers, greener leaf color,pigment content, photosynthetic activity, less input needed (such asfertilizers or water), less seeds needed, more productive tillers,earlier flowering, early grain maturity, less plant verse (lodging),increased shoot growth, enhanced plant vigor, increased plant stand andearly and better germination.

With regard to the use according to the present invention, improvedplant health preferably refers to improved plant characteristicsincluding: crop yield, more developed root system (improved rootgrowth), improved root size maintenance, improved root effectiveness,tillering increase, increase in plant height, bigger leaf blade, lessdead basal leaves, stronger tillers, greener leaf color, photosyntheticactivity, more productive tillers, enhanced plant vigor, and increasedplant stand.

With regard to the present invention, improved plant health preferablyespecially refers to improved plant properties selected from crop yield,more developed root system, improved root growth, improved root sizemaintenance, improved root effectiveness, tillering increase, andincrease in plant height.

The effect of a composition according to the present invention on planthealth as defined herein can be determined by comparing plants which aregrown under the same environmental conditions, whereby a part of saidplants is treated with a composition according to the present inventionand another part of said plants is not treated with a compositionaccording to the present invention. Instead, said other part is nottreated at all or treated with a placebo (i.e., an application without acomposition according to the invention such as an application withoutall active ingredients (i.e. without isolated gougerotin as describedherein and without an insecticide as described herein), or anapplication without gougerotin as described herein, or an applicationwithout an insecticide as described herein.

The composition according to the present invention may be applied in anydesired manner, such as in the form of a seed coating, soil drench,and/or directly in-furrow and/or as a foliar spray and applied eitherpre-emergence, post-emergence or both. In other words, the compositioncan be applied to the seed, the plant or to harvested fruits andvegetables or to the soil wherein the plant is growing or wherein it isdesired to grow (plant's locus of growth). When used as a foliartreatment, in one embodiment, about 1/16 to about 5 gallons of wholebroth are applied per acre. When used as a soil treatment, in oneembodiment, about 1 to about 5 gallons of whole broth are applied peracre. When used for seed treatment about 1/32 to about ¼ gallons ofwhole broth are applied per acre. For seed treatment, the end-useformulation contains at least 1×10⁸ colony forming units per gram.Applicant notes that colony forming units per gram refer to the amountof colony forming units present in a starting fermentation broth (priorto formulation and, preferably, shortly after fermentation).

Reducing the overall damage of plants and plant parts often results inhealthier plants and/or in an increase in plant vigor and yield.

Preferably, the composition according to the present invention is usedfor treating conventional or transgenic plants or seed thereof.

In another aspect of the present invention a method for reducing overalldamage of plants and plant parts as well as losses in harvested fruitsor vegetables caused by insects, nematodes and/or phytopathogens isprovided comprising the step of simultaneously or sequentially applyingisolated gougerotin and at least one insecticide and optionally at leastone fungicide on the plant, plant parts, harvested fruits, vegetablesand/or plant's locus of growth in a synergistically effective amount,with the proviso that the insecticide or fungicide are not gougerotin.

In a preferred embodiment of the present method the at least oneinsecticide is a synthetic insecticide.

In another preferred embodiment of the present method the at least onefungicide is a synthetic fungicide.

The method of the present invention includes the following applicationmethods, namely both of gougerotin and the at least one insecticidementioned before may be formulated into a single, stable compositionwith an agriculturally acceptable shelf life (so called“solo-formulation”), or being combined before or at the time of use (socalled “combined-formulations”).

If not mentioned otherwise, the expression “combination” stands for thevarious combinations of gougerotin and the at least one insecticide, andoptionally the at least one fungicide, in a solo-formulation, in asingle “ready-mix” form, in a combined spray mixture composed fromsolo-formulations, such as a “tank-mix”, and especially in a combineduse of the single active ingredients when applied in a sequentialmanner, i.e. one after the other within a reasonably short period, suchas a few hours or days, e.g. 2 hours to 7 days. The order of applyingthe composition according to the present invention is not essential forworking the present invention. Accordingly, the term “combination” alsoencompasses the presence of gougerotin and the at least one insecticide,and optionally the at least one fungicide on or in a plant to be treatedor its surrounding, habitat or storage space, e.g. after simultaneouslyor consecutively applying isolated gougerotin and the at least oneinsecticide, and optionally the at least one fungicide to a plant itssurrounding, habitat or storage space.

If the isolated gougerotin and the at least one insecticide, andoptionally the at least one fungicide are employed or used in asequential manner, it is preferred to treat the plants or plant parts(which includes seeds and plants emerging from the seed), harvestedfruits and vegetables according to the following method: Firstlyapplying the at least one insecticide and optionally the at least onefungicide on the plant or plant parts, and secondly applying isolatedgougerotin to the same plant or plant parts. The time periods betweenthe first and the second application within a (crop) growing cycle mayvary and depend on the effect to be achieved. For example, the firstapplication is done to prevent an infestation of the plant or plantparts with insects, nematodes and/or phytopathogens (this isparticularly the case when treating seeds) or to combat the infestationwith insects, nematodes and/or phytopathogens (this is particularly thecase when treating plants and plant parts) and the second application isdone to prevent or control the infestation with insects, nematodesand/or phytopathogens. Control in this context means that the isolatedgougerotin is not able to fully exterminate the pests or phytopathogenicfungi but is able to keep the infestation on an acceptable level.

By following the before mentioned steps, a very low level of residues ofthe at least one insecticide, and optionally at least one fungicide onthe treated plant, plant parts, and the harvested fruits and vegetablescan be achieved.

If not mentioned otherwise the treatment of plants or plant parts (whichincludes seeds and plants emerging from the seed), harvested fruits andvegetables with the composition according to the invention is carriedout directly or by action on their surroundings, habitat or storagespace using customary treatment methods, for example dipping, spraying,atomizing, irrigating, evaporating, dusting, fogging, broadcasting,foaming, painting, spreading-on, watering (drenching), drip irrigating.It is furthermore possible to apply the isolated gougerotin, the atleast one insecticide, and optionally the at least one fungicide assolo-formulation or combined-formulations by the ultra-low volumemethod, or to inject the composition according to the present inventionas a composition or as sole-formulations into the soil (in-furrow).

The term “plant to be treated” encompasses every part of a plantincluding its root system and the material—e.g., soil or nutritionmedium—which is in a radius of at least 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm around thecaulis or bole of a plant to be treated or which is at least 10 cm, 20cm, 30 cm around the root system of said plant to be treated,respectively.

The amount of the isolated gougerotin which is used or employed incombination with an insecticide, optionally in the presence of afungicide, depends on the final formulation as well as size or type ofthe plant, plant parts, seeds, harvested fruits and vegetables to betreated. Usually, the isolated gougerotin to be employed or usedaccording to the invention is present in about 2% to about 80% (w/w),preferably in about 5% to about 75% (w/w), more preferably about 10% toabout 70% (w/w) of its solo-formulation or combined-formulation with theat least one insecticide, and optionally the fungicide.

In a preferred embodiment the isolated gougerotin, which may be derivedfrom a fermentation product of a gougerotin-producing Streptomyces spp.strain, such as Streptomyces microflavus NRRL B-50550 or Streptomycesmicroflavus strain M, is present in a solo-formulation or thecombined-formulation. In Also the amount of the at least one insecticidewhich is used or employed in combination with the isolated gougerotin,optionally in the presence of a fungicide, depends on the finalformulation as well as size or type of the plant, plant parts, seeds,harvested fruit or vegetable to be treated. Usually, the insecticide tobe employed or used according to the invention is present in about 0.1%to about 80% (w/w), preferably 1% to about 60% (w/w), more preferablyabout 10% to about 50% (w/w) of its solo-formulation orcombined-formulation with the isolated gougerotin, and optionally thefungicide.

The isolated gougerotin and at least one insecticide, and if presentalso the fungicide are used or employed in a synergistic weight ratio.The skilled person is able to find out the synergistic weight ratios forthe present invention by routine methods. The skilled person understandsthat these ratios refer to the ratio within a combined-formulation aswell as to the calculative ratio of the isolated gougerotin describedherein and the insecticide when both components are applied asmono-formulations to a plant to be treated. The skilled person cancalculate this ratio by simple mathematics since the volume and theamount of the isolated gougerotin and insecticide, respectively, in amono-formulation is known to the skilled person.

The ratio can be calculated based on the amount of the at least oneinsecticide, at the time point of applying said component of acombination according to the invention to a plant or plant part and theamount of isolated gougerotin shortly prior (e.g., 48 h, 24 h, 12 h, 6h, 2 h, 1 h) or at the time point of applying said component of acombination according to the invention to a plant or plant part.

The application of the isolated gougerotin and the at least oneinsecticide to a plant or a plant part can take place simultaneously orat different times as long as both components are present on or in theplant after the application(s). In cases where the isolated gougerotinand the insecticide are applied at different times and the insecticideis applied noticeable prior to the isolated gougerotin, the skilledperson can determine the concentration of the insecticide on/in a plantby chemical analysis known in the art, at the time point or shortlybefore the time point of applying the isolated gougerotin. Vice versa,when the isolated gougerotin is applied to a plant first, theconcentration of isolated gougerotin can be determined using test whichare also known in the art, at the time point or shortly before the timepoint of applying the insecticide.

In particular, in one embodiment the synergistic weight ratio of theisolated gougerotin and the at least one insecticide lies in the rangeof 1:500 to 2000:1, preferably in the range of 1:500 to 500:1, morepreferably in the range of 1:500 to 300:1. Especially preferred ratiosare between 1:60 or 1:30 such as 30:1, 20:1, 10:1, 5:1 or 2:1 or 1:2,1:5, 1:10, 1:20, 1:30 It has to be noted that these ratio ranges referto isolated gougerotin For example, a ratio of 100:1 may mean 100 weightparts of isolated gougerotin and 1 weight part of the insecticide arecombined (either as a solo formulation, a combined formulation or byseparate applications to plants so that the combination is formed on theplant). In another embodiment, the synergistic weight ratio of the aisolated gougerotin to the insecticide is in the range of 1:100 to20.000:1, preferably in the range of 1:60 to 10.000:1 or even in therange of 1:50 to 1000:1. Once again the mentioned ratio ranges refer toisolated gougerotin. Likewise a ratio of 1:53 or 1:12 means 1 weightpart of isolated gougerotin and 53 or 12 weight parts of the at leastone insecticide are combined (either as a solo formulation, a combinedformulation or by separate applications to plants so that thecombination is formed on the plant)—see also the Examples in thisregard.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the concentration ofisolated gougerotin after dispersal is at least 50 g/ha, such as 50-7500g/ha, 50-2500 g/ha, 50-1500 g/ha; at least 250 g/ha (hectare), at least500 g/ha or at least 800 g/ha.

The application rate of composition to be employed or used according tothe present invention may vary. The skilled person is able to find theappropriate application rate by way of routine experiments.

In another aspect of the present invention a seed treated with thecomposition as described above is provided.

The control of insects, nematodes and/or phytopathogens by treating theseed of plants has been known for a long time and is a subject ofcontinual improvements. Nevertheless, the treatment of seed entails aseries of problems which cannot always be solved in a satisfactorymanner. Thus, it is desirable to develop methods for protecting the seedand the germinating plant that remove the need for, or at leastsignificantly reduce, the additional delivery of crop protectioncompositions in the course of storage, after sowing or after theemergence of the plants. It is desirable, furthermore, to optimize theamount of active ingredient employed in such a way as to provide thebest-possible protection to the seed and the germinating plant fromattack by insects, nematodes and/or phytopathogens, but without causingdamage to the plant itself by the active ingredient employed. Inparticular, methods for treating seed ought also to take intoconsideration the intrinsic insecticidal and/or nematicidal propertiesof pest-resistant or pest-tolerant transgenic plants, in order toachieve optimum protection of the seed and of the germinating plant witha minimal use of crop protection compositions.

The present invention therefore also relates in particular to a methodfor protecting seed and germinating plants from attack by pests, bytreating the seed with isolated gougerotin as defined above and at leastone insecticide and optionally at least one fungicide of the invention.The method of the invention for protecting seed and germinating plantsfrom attack by pests encompasses a method in which the seed is treatedsimultaneously in one operation with the gougerotin and the at least oneinsecticide, and optionally the at least one fungicide. It alsoencompasses a method in which the seed is treated at different timeswith the gougerotin and the at least one insecticide, and optionally theat least one fungicide.

The invention relates to the use of the composition of the invention fortreating a seed for the purpose of protecting the seed and the resultantplant against insects, mites, nematodes and/or phytopathogens.

The invention also relates to seed which at the same time has beentreated with gougerotin and at least one insecticide, and optionally atleast one fungicide. The invention further relates to seed which hasbeen treated at different times with the gougerotin and the at least oneinsecticide, and optionally the at least one fungicide. In the case ofseed which has been treated at different times with the gougerotin andthe at least one insecticide, and optionally the at least one fungicide,the individual active ingredients in the composition of the inventionmay be present in different layers on the seed.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a seed which, following treatmentwith the composition of the invention, is subjected to a film-coatingprocess in order to prevent dust abrasion of the seed.

One of the advantages of the present invention is that, owing to theparticular systemic properties of the compositions of the invention, thetreatment of the seed with these compositions provides protection frominsects, nematodes and/or phytopathogens not only to the seed itself butalso to the plants originating from the seed, after they have emerged.In this way, it may not be necessary to treat the crop directly at thetime of sowing or shortly thereafter.

A further advantage is to be seen in the fact that, through thetreatment of the seed with composition of the invention, germination andemergence of the treated seed may be promoted.

It is likewise considered to be advantageous composition of theinvention may also be used, in particular, on transgenic seed.

It is also stated that the composition of the invention may be used incombination with agents of the signalling technology, as a result ofwhich, for example, colonization with symbionts is improved, such asrhizobia, mycorrhiza and/or endophytic bacteria, for example, isenhanced, and/or nitrogen fixation is optimized.

The compositions of the invention are suitable for protecting seed ofany variety of plant which is used in agriculture, in greenhouses, inforestry or in horticulture. More particularly, the seed in question isthat of cereals (e.g. wheat, barley, rye, oats and millet), maize,cotton, soybeans, rice, potatoes, sunflower, coffee, tobacco, canola,oilseed rape, beets (e.g. sugar beet and fodder beet), peanuts,vegetables (e.g. tomato, cucumber, bean, brassicas, onions and lettuce),fruit plants, lawns and ornamentals. Particularly important is thetreatment of the seed of cereals (such as wheat, barley, rye and oats)maize, soybeans, cotton, canola, oilseed rape and rice.

As already mentioned above, the treatment of transgenic seed with thecomposition of the invention is particularly important. The seed inquestion here is that of plants which generally contain at least oneheterologous gene that controls the expression of a polypeptide having,in particular, insecticidal and/or nematicidal properties. Theseheterologous genes in transgenic seed may come from microorganisms suchas Bacillus, Rhizobium, Pseudomonas, Serratia, Trichoderma, Clavibacter,Glomus or Gliocladium. The present invention is particularly suitablefor the treatment of transgenic seed which contains at least oneheterologous gene from Bacillus sp. With particular preference, theheterologous gene in question comes from Bacillus thuringiensis.

For the purposes of the present invention, the composition of theinvention is applied alone or in a suitable formulation to the seed. Theseed is preferably treated in a condition in which its stability is suchthat no damage occurs in the course of the treatment. Generallyspeaking, the seed may be treated at any point in time betweenharvesting and sowing. Typically, seed is used which has been separatedfrom the plant and has had cobs, hulls, stems, husks, hair or pulpremoved. Thus, for example, seed may be used that has been harvested,cleaned and dried to a moisture content of less than 15% by weight.Alternatively, seed can also be used that after drying has been treatedwith water, for example, and then dried again.

When treating seed it is necessary, generally speaking, to ensure thatthe amount of the composition of the invention, and/or of otheradditives, that is applied to the seed is selected such that thegermination of the seed is not adversely affected, and/or that the plantwhich emerges from the seed is not damaged. This is the case inparticular with active ingredients which may exhibit phytotoxic effectsat certain application rates.

The compositions of the invention can be applied directly, in otherwords without comprising further components and without having beendiluted. As a general rule, it is preferable to apply the compositionsin the form of a suitable formulation to the seed. Suitable formulationsand methods for seed treatment are known to the skilled person and aredescribed in, for example, the following documents: U.S. Pat. No.4,272,417 A, U.S. Pat. No. 4,245,432 A, U.S. Pat. No. 4,808,430 A, U.S.Pat. No. 5,876,739 A, US 2003/0176428 A1, WO 2002/080675 A1, WO2002/028186 A2.

The combinations which can be used in accordance with the invention maybe converted into the customary seed-dressing formulations, such assolutions, emulsions, suspensions, powders, foams, slurries or othercoating compositions for seed, and also ULV formulations.

These formulations are prepared in a known manner, by mixing compositionwith customary adjuvants, such as, for example, customary extenders andalso solvents or diluents, colorants, wetters, dispersants, emulsifiers,antifoams, preservatives, secondary thickeners, stickers, gibberellins,and also water.

Colorants which may be present in the seed-dressing formulations whichcan be used in accordance with the invention include all colorants whichare customary for such purposes. In this context it is possible to usenot only pigments, which are of low solubility in water, but alsowater-soluble dyes. Examples include the colorants known under thedesignations Rhodamin B, C.I. Pigment Red 112 and C.I. Solvent Red 1.

Wetters which may be present in the seed-dressing formulations which canbe used in accordance with the invention include all of the substanceswhich promote wetting and which are customary in the formulation ofactive agrochemical ingredients. Use may be made preferably ofalkylnaphthalenesulphonates, such as diisopropyl- ordiisobutyl-naphthalenesulphonates.

Dispersants and/or emulsifiers which may be present in the seed-dressingformulations which can be used in accordance with the invention includeall of the nonionic, anionic and cationic dispersants that are customaryin the formulation of active agrochemical ingredients. Use may be madepreferably of nonionic or anionic dispersants or of mixtures of nonionicor anionic dispersants. Suitable nonionic dispersants are, inparticular, ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block polymers, alkylphenolpolyglycol ethers and also tristryrylphenol polyglycol ethers, and thephosphated or sulphated derivatives of these. Suitable anionicdispersants are, in particular, lignosulphonates, salts of polyacrylicacid, and arylsulphonate-formaldehyde condensates.

Antifoams which may be present in the seed-dressing formulations whichcan be used in accordance with the invention include all of the foaminhibitors that are customary in the formulation of active agrochemicalingredients. Use may be made preferably of silicone antifoams andmagnesium stearate.

Preservatives which may be present in the seed-dressing formulationswhich can be used in accordance with the invention include all of thesubstances which can be employed for such purposes in agrochemicalcompositions. Examples include dichlorophen and benzyl alcoholhemiformal.

Secondary thickeners which may be present in the seed-dressingformulations which can be used in accordance with the invention includeall substances which can be used for such purposes in agrochemicalcompositions. Those contemplated with preference include cellulosederivatives, acrylic acid derivatives, xanthan, modified clays andhighly disperse silica.

Stickers which may be present in the seed-dressing formulations whichcan be used in accordance with the invention include all customarybinders which can be used in seed-dressing products. Preferred mentionmay be made of polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinylalcohol and tylose.

Gibberellins which may be present in the seed-dressing formulationswhich can be used in accordance with the invention include preferablythe gibberellins A1, A3 (=gibberellic acid), A4 and A7, with gibberellicacid being used with particular preference. The gibberellins are known(cf. R. Wegler, “Chemie der Pflanzenschutz- andSchadlingsbekampfungsmittel”, Volume 2, Springer Verlag, 1970, pp.401-412).

The seed-dressing formulations which can be used in accordance with theinvention may be used, either directly or after prior dilution withwater, to treat seed of any of a wide variety of types. Accordingly, theconcentrates or the preparations obtainable from them by dilution withwater may be employed to dress the seed of cereals, such as wheat,barley, rye, oats and triticale, and also the seed of maize, rice,oilseed rape, peas, beans, cotton, sunflowers and beets, or else theseed of any of a very wide variety of vegetables. The seed-dressingformulations which can be used in accordance with the invention, ortheir diluted preparations, may also be used to dress seed of transgenicplants. In that case, additional synergistic effects may occur ininteraction with the substances formed through expression.

For the treatment of a seed with the seed-dressing formulations whichcan be used in accordance with the invention, or with the preparationsproduced from them by addition of water, suitable mixing equipmentincludes all such equipment which can typically be employed for seeddressing. More particularly, the procedure when carrying out seeddressing is to place the seed in a mixer, to add the particular desiredamount of seed-dressing formulations, either as such or followingdilution with water beforehand, and to carry out mixing until thedistribution of the formulation on the seed is uniform. This may befollowed by a drying operation.

The application rate of the seed-dressing formulations which can be usedin accordance with the invention may be varied within a relatively widerange. It is guided by the particular amount of the isolated gougerotinand the at least one insecticide in the formulations, and by the seed.The application rates in the case of the composition are situatedgenerally at between 0.001 and 50 g per kilogram of seed, preferablybetween 0.01 and 15 g per kilogram of seed.

The composition according to the invention, in combination with goodplant tolerance and favourable toxicity to warm-blooded animals andbeing tolerated well by the environment, are suitable for protectingplants and plant organs, for increasing harvest yields, for improvingthe quality of the harvested material and for controlling animal pests,in particular insects, arachnids, helminths, nematodes and molluscs,which are encountered in agriculture, in horticulture, in animalhusbandry, in forests, in gardens and leisure facilities, in protectionof stored products and of materials, and in the hygiene sector. They canbe preferably employed as plant protection agents. In particular, thepresent invention relates to the use of the composition according to theinvention as insecticide and/or fungicide.

The present composition preferably is active against normally sensitiveand resistant species and against all or some stages of development. Theabovementioned pests include:

Pests from the phylum Arthropoda, especially from the class Arachnida,for example, Acarus spp., Aceria sheldoni, Aculops spp., Aculus spp.,Amblyomma spp., Amphitetranychus viennensis, Argas spp., Boophilus spp.,Brevipalpus spp., Bryobia graminum, Bryobia praetiosa, Centruroidesspp., Chorioptes spp., Dermanyssus gallinae, Dermatophagoidespteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermacentor spp., Eotetranychusspp., Epitrimerus pyri, Eutetranychus spp., Eriophyes spp., Glycyphagusdomesticus, Halotydeus destructor, Hemitarsonemus spp., Hyalomma spp.,Ixodes spp., Latrodectus spp., Loxosceles spp., Metatetranychus spp.,Neutrombicula autumnalis, Nuphersa spp., Oligonychus spp., Ornithodorusspp., Ornithonyssus spp., Panonychus spp., Phyllocoptruta oleivora,Polyphagotarsonemus latus, Psoroptes spp., Rhipicephalus spp.,Rhizoglyphus spp., Sarcoptes spp., Scorpio maurus, Steneotarsonemusspp., Steneotarsonemus spinki, Tarsonemus spp., Tetranychus spp.,Trombicula alfreddugesi, Vaejovis spp., Vasates lycopersici;

In particular clover mite, brown mite, hazelnut spider mite, asparagusspider mite, brown wheat mite, legume mite, oxalis mite, boxwood mite,Texas citrus mite, Oriental red mite, citrus red mite, European redmite, yellow spider mite, fig spider mite, Lewis spider mite,six-spotted spider mite, Willamette mite Yuma spider mite, web-spinningmite, pineapple mite, citrus green mite, honey-locust spider mite, teared spider mite, southern red mite, avocado brown mite, spruce spidermite, avocado red mite, Banks grass mite, carmine spider mite, desertspider mite, vegetable spider mite, tumid spider mite, strawberry spidermite, two-spotted spider mite, McDaniel mite, Pacific spider mite,hawthorn spider mite, four-spotted spider mite, Schoenei spider mite,Chilean false spider mite, citrus flat mite, privet mite, flat scarletmite, white-tailed mite, pineapple tarsonemid mite, West Indian sugarcane mite, bulb scale mite, cyclamen mite, broad mite, winter grainmite, red-legged earth mite, filbert big-bud mite, grape erineum mite,pear blister leaf mite, apple leaf edgeroller mite, peach mosaic vectormite, alder bead gall mite, Perian walnut leaf gall mite, pecan leafedgeroll mite, fig bud mite, olive bud mite, citrus bud mite, litchierineum mite, wheat curl mite, coconut flower and nut mite, sugar caneblister mite, buffalo grass mite, bermuda grass mite, carrot bud mite,sweet potato leaf gall mite, pomegranate leaf curl mite, ash spranglegall mite, maple bladder gall mite, alder erineum mite, redberry mite,cotton blister mite, blueberry bud mite, pink tea rust mite, ribbed teamite, grey citrus mite, sweet potato rust mite, horse chestnut rustmite, citrus rust mite, apple rust mite, grape rust mite, pear rustmite, flat needle sheath pine mite, wild rose bud and fruit mite,dryberry mite, mango rust mite, azalea rust mite, plum rust mite, peachsilver mite, apple rust mite, tomato russet mite, pink citrus rust mite,cereal rust mite, rice rust mite;

from the class Chilopoda, for example, Geophilus spp., Scutigera spp.;from the order or the class Collembola, for example, Onychiurus armatus;from the class Diplopoda, for example, Blaniulus guttulatus;from the class Insecta, e.g. from the order Blattodea, for example,Blattella asahinai, Blattella germanica, Blatta orientalis, Leucophaeamaderae, Panchlora spp., Parcoblatta spp., Periplaneta spp., Supellalongipalpa;from the order Coleoptera, for example, Acalymma vittatum,Acanthoscelides obtectus, Adoretus spp., Agelastica alni, Agriotes spp.,Alphitobius diaperinus, Amphimallon solstitialis, Anobium punctatum,Anoplophora spp., Anthonomus spp., Anthrenus spp., Apion spp., Apogoniaspp., Atomaria spp., Attagenus spp., Bruchidius obtectus, Bruchus spp.,Cassida spp., Cerotoma trifurcata, Ceutorrhynchus spp., Chaetocnemaspp., Cleonus mendicus, Conoderus spp., Cosmopolites spp., Costelytrazealandica, Ctenicera spp., Curculio spp., Cryptolestes ferrugineus,Cryptorhynchus lapathi, Cylindrocopturus spp., Dermestes spp.,Diabrotica spp., Dichocrocis spp., Dicladispa armigera, Diloboderusspp., Epilachna spp., Epitrix spp., Faustinus spp., Gibbium psylloides,Gnathocerus cornutus, Hellula undalis, Heteronychus arator, Heteronyxspp., Hylamorpha elegans, Hylotrupes bajulus, Hypera postica, Hypomecessquamosus, Hypothenemus spp., Lachnosterna consanguinea, Lasiodermaserricorne, Latheticus oryzae, Lathridius spp., Lema spp., Leptinotarsadecemlineata, Leucoptera spp., Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus, Lixus spp.,Luperodes spp., Lyctus spp., Megascelis spp., Melanotus spp., Meligethesaeneus, Melolontha spp., Migdolus spp., Monochamus spp., Naupactusxanthographus, Necrobia spp., Niptus hololeucus, Oryctes rhinoceros,Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Oryzaphagus oryzae, Otiorrhynchus spp.,Oxycetonia jucunda, Phaedon cochleariae, Phyllophaga spp., Phyllophagahelleri, Phyllotreta spp., Popillia japonica, Premnotrypes spp.,Prostephanus truncatus, Psylliodes spp., Ptinus spp., Rhizobiusventralis, Rhizopertha dominica, Sitophilus spp., Sitophilus oryzae,Sphenophorus spp., Stegobium paniceum, Sternechus spp., Symphyletesspp., Tanymecus spp., Tenebrio molitor, Tenebrioides mauretanicus,Tribolium spp., Trogoderma spp., Tychius spp., Xylotrechus spp., Zabrusspp.;preferably from Banded cucumber beetle (Diabrotica balteata), Northerncorn rootworm (Diabrotica barberi), Southern corn rootworm (Diabroticaundecimpunctata howardi), Western cucumber beetle (Diabroticaundecimpunctata tenella), Western spotted cucumber beetle (Diabroticaundecimpunctata undecimpunctata), Western corn rootworm (Diabroticavirgifera virgifera), Mexican corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgiferazeae).;from the order Diptera, for example, Aedes spp., Agromyza spp.,Anastrepha spp., Anopheles spp., Asphondylia spp., Bactrocera spp.,Bibio hortulanus, Calliphora erythrocephala, Calliphora vicina,Ceratitis capitata, Chironomus spp., Chrysomyia spp., Chrysops spp.,Chrysozona pluvialis, Cochliomyia spp., Contarinia spp., Cordylobiaanthropophaga, Cricotopus sylvestris, Culex spp., Culicoides spp.,Culiseta spp., Cuterebra spp., Dacus oleae, Dasyneura spp., Delia spp.,Dermatobia hominis, Drosophila spp., Echinocnemus spp., Fannia spp.,Gasterophilus spp., Glossina spp., Haematopota spp., Hydrellia spp.,Hydrellia griseola, Hylemya spp., Hippobosca spp., Hypoderma spp.,Liriomyza spp., Lucilia spp., Lutzomyia spp., Mansonia spp., Musca spp.,Oestrus spp., Oscinella frit, Paratanytarsus spp., Paralauterborniellasubcincta, Pegomyia spp., Phlebotomus spp., Phorbia spp., Phormia spp.,Piophila casei, Prodiplosis spp., Psila rosae, Rhagoletis spp.,Sarcophaga spp., Simulium spp., Stomoxys spp., Tabanus spp., Tetanopsspp., Tipula spp.;from the order Heteroptera, for example, Anasa tristis, Antestiopsisspp., Boisea spp., Blissus spp., Calocoris spp., Campylomma livida,Cavelerius spp., Cimex spp., Collaria spp., Creontiades dilutus, Dasynuspiperis, Dichelops furcatus, Diconocoris hewetti, Dysdercus spp.,Euschistus spp., Eurygaster spp., Heliopeltis spp., Horcias nobilellus,Leptocorisa spp., Leptocorisa varicornis, Leptoglossus phyllopus, Lygusspp., Macropes excavatus, Miridae, Monalonion atratum, Nezara spp.,Oebalus spp., Pentomidae, Piesma quadrata, Piezodorus spp., Psallusspp., Pseudacysta persea, Rhodnius spp., Sahlbergella singularis,Scaptocoris castanea, Scotinophora spp., Stephanitis nashi, Tibracaspp., Triatoma spp.;from the order Homoptera, for example, Acizzia acaciaebaileyanae,Acizzia dodonaeae, Acizzia uncatoides, Acrida turrita, Acyrthosiponspp., Acrogonia spp., Aeneolamia spp., Agonoscena spp., Aleyrodesproletella, Aleurolobus barodensis, Aleurothrixus floccosus,Allocaridara malayensis, Amrasca spp., Anuraphis cardui, Aonidiellaspp., Aphanostigma piri, Aphis spp., Arboridia apicalis, Arytainillaspp., Aspidiella spp., Aspidiotus spp., Atanus spp., Aulacorthum solani,Bemisia tabaci, Blastopsylla occidentalis, Boreioglycaspis melaleucae,Brachycaudus helichrysi, Brachycolus spp., Brevicoryne brassicae,Cacopsylla spp., Calligypona marginata, Carneocephala fulgida,Ceratovacuna lanigera, Cercopidae, Ceroplastes spp., Chaetosiphonfragaefolii, Chionaspis tegalensis, Chlorita onukii, Chondracris rosea,Chromaphis juglandicola, Chrysomphalus ficus, Cicadulina mbila,Coccomytilus halli, Coccus spp., Cryptomyzus ribis, Cryptoneossa spp.,Ctenarytaina spp., Dalbulus spp., Dialeurodes citri, Diaphorina citri,Diaspis spp., Drosicha spp., Dysaphis spp., Dysmicoccus spp., Empoascaspp., Eriosoma spp., Erythroneura spp., Eucalyptolyma spp., Euphylluraspp., Euscelis bilobatus, Ferrisia spp., Geococcus coffeae, Glycaspisspp., Heteropsylla cubana, Heteropsylla spinulosa, Homalodiscacoagulata, Hyalopterus arundinis, Icerya spp., Idiocerus spp.,Idioscopus spp., Laodelphax striatellus, Lecanium spp., Lepidosaphesspp., Lipaphis erysimi, Macrosiphum spp., Macrosteles facifrons,Mahanarva spp., Melanaphis sacchari, Metcalfiella spp., Metopolophiumdirhodum, Monellia costalis, Monelliopsis pecanis, Myzus spp., Nasonoviaribisnigri, Nephotettix spp., Nettigoniclla spectra, Nilaparvata lugens,Oncometopia spp., Orthezia praelonga, Oxya chinensis, Pachypsylla spp.,Parabemisia myricae, Paratrioza spp., Parlatoria spp., Pemphigus spp.,Peregrinus maidis, Phenacoccus spp., Phloeomyzus passerinii, Phorodonhumuli, Phylloxera spp., Pinnaspis aspidistrae, Planococcus spp.,Prosopidopsylla flava, Protopulvinaria pyriformis, Pseudaulacaspispentagona, Pseudococcus spp., Psyllopsis spp., Psylla spp., Pteromalusspp., Pyrilla spp., Quadraspidiotus spp., Quesada gigas, Rastrococcusspp., Rhopalosiphum spp., Saissetia spp., Scaphoideus titanus,Schizaphis graminum, Selenaspidus articulatus, Sogata spp., Sogatellafurcifera, Sogatodes spp., Stictocephala festina, Siphoninus phillyreae,Tenalaphara malayensis, Tetragonocephela spp., Tinocallis caryaefoliae,Tomaspis spp., Toxoptera spp., Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Trioza spp.,Typhlocyba spp., Unaspis spp., Viteus vitifolii, Zygina spp.;from the order Hymenoptera, for example, Acromyrmex spp., Athalia spp.,Atta spp., Diprion spp., Hoplocampa spp., Lasius spp., Monomoriumpharaonis, Sirex spp., Solenopsis invicta, Tapinoma spp., Urocerus spp.,Vespa spp., Xeris spp.;from the order Isopoda, for example, Armadillidium vulgare, Oniscusasellus, Porcellio scaber;from the order Isoptera, for example, Coptotermes spp., Cornitermescumulans, Cryptotermes spp., Incisitermes spp., Microtermes obesi,Odontotermes spp., Reticulitermes spp.;from the order Lepidoptera, for example, Achroia grisella, Acronictamajor, Adoxophyes spp., Aedia leucomelas, Agrotis spp., Alabama spp.,Amyelois transitella, Anarsia spp., Anticarsia spp., Argyroploce spp.,Barathra brassicae, Borbo cinnara, Bucculatrix thurberiella, Bupaluspiniarius, Busseola spp., Cacoecia spp., Caloptilia theivora, Capuareticulana, Carpocapsa pomonella, Carposina niponensis, Cheimatobiabrumata, Chilo spp., Choristoneura spp., Clysia ambiguella,Cnaphalocerus spp., Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, Cnephasia spp.,Conopomorpha spp., Conotrachelus spp., Copitarsia spp., Cydia spp.,Dalaca noctuides, Diaphania spp., Diatraea saccharalis, Earias spp.,Ecdytolopha aurantium, Elasmopalpus lignosellus, Eldana saccharina,Ephestia spp., Epinotia spp., Epiphyas postvittana, Etiella spp., Euliaspp., Eupoecilia ambiguella, Euproctis spp., Euxoa spp., Feltia spp.,Galleria mellonella, Gracillaria spp., Grapholitha spp., Hedylepta spp.,Helicoverpa spp., Heliothis spp., Hofmannophila pseudospretella,Homoeosoma spp., Homona spp., Hyponomeuta padella, Kakivoriaflavofasciata, Laphygma spp., Laspeyresia molesta, Leucinodes orbonalis,Leucoptera spp., Lithocolletis spp., Lithophane antennata, Lobesia spp.,Loxagrotis albicosta, Lymantria spp., Lyonetia spp., Malacosomaneustria, Maruca testulalis, Mamstra brassicae, Melanitis leda, Mocisspp., Monopis obviella, Mythimna separata, Nemapogon cloacellus,Nymphula spp., Oiketicus spp., Oria spp., Orthaga spp., Ostrinia spp.,Oulema oryzae, Panolis flammea, Parnara spp., Pectinophora spp.,Perileucoptera spp., Phthorimaea spp., Phyllocnistis citrella,Phyllonorycter spp., Pieris spp., Platynota stultana, Plodiainterpunctella, Plusia spp., Plutella xylostella, Prays spp., Prodeniaspp., Protoparce spp., Pseudaletia spp., Pseudaletia unipuncta,Pseudoplusia includens, Pyrausta nubilalis, Rachiplusia nu, Schoenobiusspp., Scirpophaga spp., Scirpophaga innotata, Scotia segetum, Sesamiaspp., Sesamia inferens, Sparganothis spp., Spodoptera spp., Spodopterapraefica, Stathmopoda spp., Stomopteryx subsecivella, Synanthedon spp.,Tecia solanivora, Thermesia gemmatalis, Tinea cloacella, Tineapellionella, Tineola bisselliella, Tortrix spp., Trichophaga tapetzella,Trichoplusia spp., Tryporyza incertulas, Tuta absoluta, Virachola spp.;from the order Orthoptera or Saltatoria, for example, Acheta domesticus,Dichroplus spp., Gryllotalpa spp., Hieroglyphus spp., Locusta spp.,Melanoplus spp., Schistocerca gregaria;from the order Phthiraptera, for example, Damalinia spp., Haematopinusspp., Linognathus spp., Pediculus spp., Ptirus pubis, Trichodectes spp.;from the order Psocoptera for example Lepinatus spp., Liposcelis spp.;from the order Siphonaptera, for example, Ceratophyllus spp.,Ctenocephalides spp., Pulex irritans, Tunga penetrans, Xenopsyllacheopsis;from the order Thysanoptera, for example, Anaphothrips obscurus,Baliothrips biformis, Drepanothrips reuteri, Enneothrips flavens,Frankliniella spp., Heliothrips spp., Hercinothrips femoralis,Rhipiphorothrips cruentatus, Scirtothrips spp., Taeniothrips cardamomi,Thrips spp.;from the order Zygentoma (=Thysanura), for example, Ctenolepisma spp.,Lepisma saccharina, Lepismodes inquilinus, Thermobia domestica;from the class Symphyla, for example, Scutigerella spp.;pests from the phylum Mollusca, especially from the class Bivalvia, forexample, Dreissena spp., and from the class Gastropoda, for example,Arion spp., Biomphalaria spp., Bulinus spp., Deroceras spp., Galba spp.,Lymnaea spp., Oncomelania spp., Pomacea spp., Succinea spp.;animal pests from the phylums Plathelminthes and Nematoda, for example,Ancylostoma duodenale, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, Acylostoma braziliensis,Ancylostoma spp., Ascaris spp., Brugia malayi, Brugia timori, Bunostomumspp., Chabertia spp., Clonorchis spp., Cooperia spp., Dicrocoelium spp.,Dictyocaulus filaria, Diphyllobothrium latum, Dracunculus medinensis,Echinococcus granulosus, Echinococcus multilocularis, Enterobiusvermicularis, Faciola spp., Haemonchus spp., Heterakis spp., Hymenolepisnana, Hyostrongulus spp., Loa Loa, Nematodirus spp., Oesophagostomumspp., Opisthorchis spp., Onchocerca volvulus, Ostertagia spp.,Paragonimus spp., Schistosomen spp., Strongyloides fuelleborni,Strongyloides stercoralis, Stronyloides spp., Taenia saginata, Taeniasolium, Trichinella spiralis, Trichinella nativa, Trichinella britovi,Trichinella nelsoni, Trichinella pseudopsiralis, Trichostrongulus spp.,Trichuris trichiura, Wuchereria bancrofti;phytoparasitic pests from the phylum Nematoda, for example,Aphelenchoides spp., Bursaphelenchus spp., Ditylenchus spp., Globoderaspp., Heterodera spp., Longidorus spp., Meloidogyne spp., Pratylenchusspp., Radopholus spp., Trichodorus spp., Tylenchulus spp., Xiphinemaspp., Helicotylenchus spp., Tylenchorhynchus spp., Scutellonema spp.,Paratrichodorus spp., Meloinema spp., Paraphelenchus spp., Aglenchusspp., Belonolaimus spp., Nacobbus spp., Rotylenchulus spp., Rotylenchusspp., Neotylenchus spp., Paraphelenchus spp., Dolichodorus spp.,Hoplolaimus spp., Punctodera spp., Criconemella spp., Quinisulcius spp.,Hemicycliophora spp., Anguina spp., Subanguina spp., Hemicriconemoidesspp., Psilenchus spp., Pseudohalenchus spp., Criconemoides spp.,Cacopaurus spp., Hirschmaniella spp, Tetylenchus spp.,

It is furthermore possible to control organisms from the subphylumProtozoa, especially from the order Coccidia, such as Eimeria spp.

Preferably, the composition is particularly active against spider mites,citrus mites, eriophyid (russet) mites and broad mites as well as thecorn root worm.

Furthermore, in case the isolated gougerotin exhibits fungicidalactivity and/or the composition additionally comprises a fungicide, thecomposition according to the present invention has potent microbicidalactivity and can be used for control of unwanted microorganisms, such asfungi and bacteria, in crop protection and in the protection ofmaterials.

The invention also relates to a method for controlling unwantedmicroorganisms, characterized in that the inventive composition isapplied to the phytopathogenic fungi, phytopathogenic bacteria and/ortheir habitat.

Fungicides can be used in crop protection for control of phytopathogenicfungi. They are characterized by an outstanding efficacy against a broadspectrum of phytopathogenic fungi, including soilborne pathogens, whichare in particular members of the classes Plasmodiophoromycetes,Peronosporomycetes (Syn. Oomycetes), Chytridiomycetes, Zygomycetes,Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes and Deuteromycetes (Syn. Fungi imperfecti).Some fungicides are systemically active and can be used in plantprotection as foliar, seed dressing or soil fungicide. Furthermore, theyare suitable for combating fungi, which inter alia infest wood or rootsof plant.

Bactericides can be used in crop protection for control ofPseudomonadaceae, Rhizobiaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Corynebacteriaceaeand Streptomycetaceae.

Non-limiting examples of pathogens of fungal diseases which can betreated in accordance with the invention include:

diseases caused by powdery mildew pathogens, for example Blumeriaspecies, for example Blumeria graminis; Podosphaera species, for examplePodosphaera leucotricha; Sphaerotheca species, for example Sphaerothecafuliginea; Uncinula species, for example Uncinula necator;diseases caused by rust disease pathogens, for example Gymnosporangiumspecies, for example Gymnosporangium sabinae; Hemileia species, forexample Hemileia vastatrix; Phakopsora species, for example Phakopsorapachyrhizi and Phakopsora meibomiae; Puccinia species, for examplePuccinia recondite, P. triticina, P. graminis or P. striiformis or P.hordei; Uromyces species, for example Uromyces appendiculatus;diseases caused by pathogens from the group of the Oomycetes, forexample Albugo species, for example Algubo candida; Bremia species, forexample Bremia lactucae; Peronospora species, for example Peronosporapisi, P. parasitica or P. brassicae; Phytophthora species, for examplePhytophthora infestans; Plasmopara species, for example Plasmoparaviticola; Pseudoperonospora species, for example Pseudoperonosporahumuli or Pseudoperonospora cubensis; Pythium species, for examplePythium ultimum;leaf blotch diseases and leaf wilt diseases caused, for example, byAlternaria species, for example Alternaria solani; Cercospora species,for example Cercospora beticola; Cladiosporium species, for exampleCladiosporium cucumerinum; Cochliobolus species, for exampleCochliobolus sativus (conidia form: Drechslera, Syn: Helminthosporium),Cochliobolus miyabeanus; Colletotrichum species, for exampleColletotrichum lindemuthanium; Cycloconium species, for exampleCycloconium oleaginum; Diaporthe species, for example Diaporthe citri;Elsinoe species, for example Elsinoe fawcettii; Gloeosporium species,for example Gloeosporium laeticolor; Glomerella species, for exampleGlomerella cingulata; Guignardia species, for example Guignardiabidwelli; Leptosphaeria species, for example Leptosphaeria maculans,Leptosphaeria nodorum; Magnaporthe species, for example Magnaporthegrisea; Microdochium species, for example Microdochium nivale;Mycosphaerella species, for example Mycosphaerella graminicola, M.arachidicola and M. fijiensis; Phaeosphaeria species, for examplePhaeosphaeria nodorum; Pyrenophora species, for example Pyrenophorateres, Pyrenophora tritici repentis; Ramularia species, for exampleRamularia collo-cygni, Ramularia areola; Rhynchosporium species, forexample Rhynchosporium secalis; Septoria species, for example Septoriaapii, Septoria lycopersii; Typhula species, for example Typhulaincarnata; Venturia species, for example Venturia inaequalis;root and stem diseases caused, for example, by Corticium species, forexample Corticium graminearum; Fusarium species, for example Fusariumoxysporum; Gaeumannomyces species, for example Gaeumannomyces graminis;Rhizoctonia species, such as, for example Rhizoctonia solani;Sarocladiumdiseases caused for example by Sarocladium oryzae; Sclerotium diseasescaused for example by Sclerotium oryzae; Tapesia species, for exampleTapesia acuformis; Thielaviopsis species, for example Thielaviopsisbasicola;ear and panicle diseases (including corn cobs) caused, for example, byAlternaria species, for example Alternaria spp.; Aspergillus species,for example Aspergillus flavus; Cladosporium species, for exampleCladosporium cladosporioides; Claviceps species, for example Clavicepspurpurea; Fusarium species, for example Fusarium culmorum; Gibberellaspecies, for example Gibberella zeae; Monographella species, for exampleMonographella nivalis; Septoria species, for example Septoria nodorum;diseases caused by smut fungi, for example Sphacelotheca species, forexample Sphacelotheca reiliana; Tilletia species, for example Tilletiacaries, T. controversa; Urocystis species, for example Urocystisocculta; Ustilago species, for example Ustilago nuda, U. nuda tritici;fruit rot caused, for example, by Aspergillus species, for exampleAspergillus flavus; Botrytis species, for example Botrytis cinerea;Penicillium species, for example Penicillium expansum and P.purpurogenum; Sclerotinia species, for example Sclerotinia sclerotiorum;Verticilium species, for example Verticilium alboatrum;seed and soilborne decay, mould, wilt, rot and damping-off diseasescaused, for example, by Alternaria species, caused for example byAlternaria brassicicola; Aphanomyces species, caused for example byAphanomyces euteiches; Ascochyta species, caused for example byAscochyta lentis; Aspergillus species, caused for example by Aspergillusflavus; Cladosporium species, caused for example by Cladosporiumherbarum; Cochliobolus species, caused for example by Cochliobolussativus; (Conidiaform: Drechslera, Bipolaris Syn: Helminthosporium);Colletotrichum species, caused for example by Colletotrichum coccodes;Fusarium species, caused for example by Fusarium culmorum; Gibberellaspecies, caused for example by Gibberella zeae; Macrophomina species,caused for example by Macrophomina phaseolina; Monographella species,caused for example by Monographella nivalis; Penicillium species, causedfor example by Penicillium expansum; Phoma species, caused for exampleby Phoma lingam; Phomopsis species, caused for example by Phomopsissojae; Phytophthora species, caused for example by Phytophthoracactorum; Pyrenophora species, caused for example by Pyrenophoragraminea; Pyricularia species, caused for example by Pyricularia oryzae;Pythium species, caused for example by Pythium ultimum; Rhizoctoniaspecies, caused for example by Rhizoctonia solani; Rhizopus species,caused for example by Rhizopus oryzae; Sclerotium species, caused forexample by Sclerotium rolfsii; Septoria species, caused for example bySeptoria nodorum; Typhula species, caused for example by Typhulaincarnata; Verticillium species, caused for example by Verticilliumdahliae;cancers, galls and witches' broom caused, for example, by Nectriaspecies, for example Nectria galligena;wilt diseases caused, for example, by Monilinia species, for exampleMonilinia laxa;leaf blister or leaf curl diseases caused, for example, by Exobasidiumspecies, for example Exobasidium vexans;Taphrina species, for example Taphrina deformans;decline diseases of wooden plants caused, for example, by Esca disease,caused for example by Phaemoniella clamydospora, Phaeoacremoniumaleophilum and Fomitiporia mediterranea; Eutypa dyeback, caused forexample by Eutypa lata; Ganoderma diseases caused for example byGanoderma boninense; Rigidoporus diseases caused for example byRigidoporus lignosus;diseases of flowers and seeds caused, for example, by Botrytis species,for example Botrytis cinerea;diseases of plant tubers caused, for example, by Rhizoctonia species,for example Rhizoctonia solani; Helminthosporium species, for exampleHelminthosporium solani;Club root caused, for example, by Plasmodiophora species, for examplePlamodiophora brassicae;diseases caused by bacterial pathogens, for example Xanthomonas species,for example Xanthomonas campestris pv. oryzae; Pseudomonas species, forexample Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans; Erwinia species, forexample Erwinia amylovora.The following diseases of soya beans can be controlled with preference:

Fungal diseases on leaves, stems, pods and seeds caused, for example, byAlternaria leaf spot (Alternaria spec. atrans tenuissima), Anthracnose(Colletotrichum gloeosporoides dematium var. truncatum), brown spot(Septoria glycines), cercospora leaf spot and blight (Cercosporakikuchii), choanephora leaf blight (Choanephora infundibulifera trispora(Syn.)), dactuliophora leaf spot (Dactuliophora glycines), downy mildew(Peronospora manshurica), drechslera blight (Drechslera glycini),frogeye leaf spot (Cercospora sojina), leptosphaerulina leaf spot(Leptosphaerulina trifolii), phyllostica leaf spot (Phyllostictasojaecola), pod and stem blight (Phomopsis sojae), powdery mildew(Microsphaera diffusa), pyrenochaeta leaf spot (Pyrenochaeta glycines),rhizoctonia aerial, foliage, and web blight (Rhizoctonia solani), rust(Phakopsora pachyrhizi, Phakopsora meibomiae), scab (Sphacelomaglycines), stemphylium leaf blight (Stemphylium botryosum), target spot(Corynespora cassiicola).

Fungal diseases on roots and the stem base caused, for example, by blackroot rot (Calonectria crotalariae), charcoal rot (Macrophominaphaseolina), fusarium blight or wilt, root rot, and pod and collar rot(Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium orthoceras, Fusarium semitectum, Fusariumequiseti), mycoleptodiscus root rot (Mycoleptodiscus terrestris),neocosmospora (Neocosmospora vasinfecta), pod and stem blight (Diaporthephaseolorum), stem canker (Diaporthe phaseolorum var. caulivora),phytophthora rot (Phytophthora megasperma), brown stem rot (Phialophoragregata), pythium rot (Pythium aphanidermatum, Pythium irregulare,Pythium debaryanum, Pythium myriotylum, Pythium ultimum), rhizoctoniaroot rot, stem decay, and damping-off (Rhizoctonia solani), sclerotiniastem decay (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), sclerotinia southern blight(Sclerotinia rolfsii), thielaviopsis root rot (Thielaviopsis basicola).

The inventive compositions can be used for curative orprotective/preventive control of phytopathogenic fungi. The inventiontherefore also relates to curative and protective methods forcontrolling phytopathogenic fungi by the use of the inventivecomposition, which is applied to the seed, the plant or plant parts, thefruit or the soil in which the plants grow.

The fact that the composition is well tolerated by plants at theconcentrations required for controlling plant diseases allows thetreatment of above-ground parts of plants, of propagation stock andseeds, and of the soil.

According to the invention all plants and plant parts can be treated. Byplants is meant all plants and plant populations such as desirable andundesirable wild plants, cultivars and plant varieties (whether or notprotectable by plant variety or plant breeder's rights). Cultivars andplant varieties can be plants obtained by conventional propagation andbreeding methods which can be assisted or supplemented by one or morebiotechnological methods such as by use of double haploids, protoplastfusion, random and directed mutagenesis, molecular or genetic markers orby bioengineering and genetic engineering methods. By plant parts ismeant all above ground and below ground parts and organs of plants suchas shoot, leaf, blossom and root, whereby for example leaves, needles,stems, branches, blossoms, fruiting bodies, fruits and seed as well asroots, corms and rhizomes are listed. Crops and vegetative andgenerative propagating material, for example cuttings, corms, rhizomes,runners and seeds also belong to plant parts.

The inventive composition, when it is well tolerated by plants, hasfavourable homeotherm toxicity and is well tolerated by the environment,is suitable for protecting plants and plant organs, for enhancingharvest yields, for improving the quality of the harvested material. Itcan preferably be used as crop protection composition. It is activeagainst normally sensitive and resistant species and against all or somestages of development.

Plants which can be treated in accordance with the invention include thefollowing main crop plants: maize, soya bean, alfalfa, cotton,sunflower, Brassica oil seeds such as Brassica napus (e.g. canola,rapeseed), Brassica rapa, B. juncea (e.g. (field) mustard) and Brassicacarinata, Arecaceae sp. (e.g. oilpalm, coconut), rice, wheat, sugarbeet, sugar cane, oats, rye, barley, millet and sorghum, triticale,flax, nuts, grapes and vine and various fruit and vegetables fromvarious botanic taxa, e.g. Rosaceae sp. (e.g. pome fruits such as applesand pears, but also stone fruits such as apricots, cherries, almonds,plums and peaches, and berry fruits such as strawberries, raspberries,red and black currant and gooseberry), Ribesioidae sp., Juglandaceaesp., Betulaceae sp., Anacardiaceae sp., Fagaceae sp., Moraceae sp.,Oleaceae sp. (e.g. olive tree), Actinidaceae sp., Lauraceae sp. (e.g.avocado, cinnamon, camphor), Musaceae sp. (e.g. banana trees andplantations), Rubiaceae sp. (e.g. coffee), Theaceae sp. (e.g. tea),Sterculiceae sp., Rutaceae sp. (e.g. lemons, oranges, mandarins andgrapefruit); Solanaceae sp. (e.g. tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, capsicum,aubergines, tobacco), Liliaceae sp., Compositae sp. (e.g. lettuce,artichokes and chicory—including root chicory, endive or commonchicory), Umbelliferae sp. (e.g. carrots, parsley, celery and celeriac),Cucurbitaceae sp. (e.g. cucumbers—including gherkins, pumpkins,watermelons, calabashes and melons), Alliaceae sp. (e.g. leeks andonions), Cruciferae sp. (e.g. white cabbage, red cabbage, broccoli,cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, pak Choi, kohlrabi, radishes,horseradish, cress and chinese cabbage), Leguminosae sp. (e.g. peanuts,peas, lentils and beans—e.g. common beans and broad beans),Chenopodiaceae sp. (e.g. Swiss chard, fodder beet, spinach, beetroot),Linaceae sp. (e.g. hemp), Cannabeacea sp. (e.g. cannabis), Malvaceae sp.(e.g. okra, cocoa), Papaveraceae (e.g. poppy), Asparagaceae (e.g.asparagus); useful plants and ornamental plants in the garden and woodsincluding turf, lawn, grass and Stevia rebaudiana; and in each casegenetically modified types of these plants.

Depending on the plant species or plant cultivars, their location andgrowth conditions (soils, climate, vegetation period, diet), using oremploying the composition according to the present invention thetreatment according to the invention will also result in super-additive(“synergistic”) effects. Thus, for example, by using or employinginventive composition in the treatment according to the invention,reduced application rates and/or a widening of the activity spectrumand/or an increase in the activity better plant growth, increasedtolerance to high or low temperatures, increased tolerance to drought orto water or soil salt content, increased flowering performance, easierharvesting, accelerated maturation, higher harvest yields, biggerfruits, larger plant height, greener leaf color, earlier flowering,higher quality and/or a higher nutritional value of the harvestedproducts, higher sugar concentration within the fruits, better storagestability and/or processability of the harvested products are possible,which exceed the effects which were actually to be expected.

At certain application rates of the inventive composition in thetreatment according to the invention may also have a strengtheningeffect in plants. The defense system of the plant against attack byunwanted phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms and/or viruses ismobilized. Plant-strengthening (resistance-inducing) substances are tobe understood as meaning, in the present context, those substances orcombinations of substances which are capable of stimulating the defensesystem of plants in such a way that, when subsequently inoculated withunwanted phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms and/or viruses, thetreated plants display a substantial degree of resistance to thesephytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms and/or viruses, Thus, byusing or employing composition according to the present invention in thetreatment according to the invention, plants can be protected againstattack by the abovementioned pathogens within a certain period of timeafter the treatment. The period of time within which protection iseffected generally extends from 1 to 10 days, preferably 1 to 7 days,after the treatment of the plants with the active compounds.

Plants and plant cultivars which are also preferably to be treatedaccording to the invention are resistant against one or more bioticstresses, i.e. said plants show a better defense against animal andmicrobial pests, such as against nematodes, insects, mites,phytopathogenic fungi, bacteria, viruses and/or viroids.

Plants and plant cultivars which may also be treated according to theinvention are those plants which are resistant to one or more abioticstresses, i. e. that already exhibit an increased plant health withrespect to stress tolerance. Abiotic stress conditions may include, forexample, drought, cold temperature exposure, heat exposure, osmoticstress, flooding, increased soil salinity, increased mineral exposure,ozone exposure, high light exposure, limited availability of nitrogennutrients, limited availability of phosphorus nutrients, shadeavoidance. Preferably, the treatment of these plants and cultivars withthe composition of the present invention additionally increases theoverall plant health (cf. above).

Plants and plant cultivars which may also be treated according to theinvention, are those plants characterized by enhanced yieldcharacteristics i. e. that already exhibit an increased plant healthwith respect to this feature. Increased yield in said plants can be theresult of, for example, improved plant physiology, growth anddevelopment, such as water use efficiency, water retention efficiency,improved nitrogen use, enhanced carbon assimilation, improvedphotosynthesis, increased germination efficiency and acceleratedmaturation. Yield can furthermore be affected by improved plantarchitecture (under stress and non-stress conditions), including but notlimited to, early flowering, flowering control for hybrid seedproduction, seedling vigor, plant size, internode number and distance,root growth, seed size, fruit size, pod size, pod or ear number, seednumber per pod or ear, seed mass, enhanced seed filling, reduced seeddispersal, reduced pod dehiscence and lodging resistance. Further yieldtraits include seed composition, such as carbohydrate content, proteincontent, oil content and composition, nutritional value, reduction inanti-nutritional compounds, improved processability and better storagestability. Preferably, the treatment of these plants and cultivars withthe composition of the present invention additionally increases theoverall plant health (cf. above).

Plants that may be treated according to the invention are hybrid plantsthat already express the characteristic of heterosis or hybrid vigorwhich results in generally higher yield, vigor, health and resistancetowards biotic and abiotic stress factors. Such plants are typicallymade by crossing an inbred male-sterile parent line (the female parent)with another inbred male-fertile parent line (the male parent). Hybridseed is typically harvested from the male sterile plants and sold togrowers. Male sterile plants can sometimes (e.g. in corn) be produced bydetasseling, i.e. the mechanical removal of the male reproductive organs(or males flowers) but, more typically, male sterility is the result ofgenetic determinants in the plant genome. In that case, and especiallywhen seed is the desired product to be harvested from the hybrid plantsit is typically useful to ensure that male fertility in the hybridplants is fully restored. This can be accomplished by ensuring that themale parents have appropriate fertility restorer genes which are capableof restoring the male fertility in hybrid plants that contain thegenetic determinants responsible for male-sterility. Geneticdeterminants for male sterility may be located in the cytoplasm.Examples of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) were for instance describedin Brassica species. However, genetic determinants for male sterilitycan also be located in the nuclear genome. Male sterile plants can alsobe obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering.A particularly useful means of obtaining male-sterile plants isdescribed in WO 89/10396 in which, for example, a ribonuclease such asbarnase is selectively expressed in the tapetum cells in the stamens.Fertility can then be restored by expression in the tapetum cells of aribonuclease inhibitor such as barstar.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods suchas genetic engineering) which may be treated according to the inventionare herbicide-tolerant plants, i.e. plants made tolerant to one or moregiven herbicides. Such plants can be obtained either by genetictransformation, or by selection of plants containing a mutationimparting such herbicide tolerance.

Herbicide-tolerant plants are for example glyphosate-tolerant plants,i.e. plants made tolerant to the herbicide glyphosate or salts thereof.Plants can be made tolerant to glyphosate through different means. Forexample, glyphosate-tolerant plants can be obtained by transforming theplant with a gene encoding the enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphatesynthase (EPSPS). Examples of such EPSPS genes are the AroA gene (mutantCT7) of the bacterium Salmonella typhimurium, the CP4 gene of thebacterium Agrobacterium sp, the genes encoding a Petunia EPSPS, a TomatoEPSPS, or an Eleusine EPSPS. It can also be a mutated EPSPS.Glyphosate-tolerant plants can also be obtained by expressing a genethat encodes a glyphosate oxido-reductase enzyme. Glyphosate-tolerantplants can also be obtained by expressing a gene that encodes aglyphosate acetyl transferase enzyme. Glyphosate-tolerant plants canalso be obtained by selecting plants containing naturally-occurringmutations of the above-mentioned genes.

Other herbicide resistant plants are for example plants that are madetolerant to herbicides inhibiting the enzyme glutamine synthase, such asbialaphos, phosphinothricin or glufosinate. Such plants can be obtainedby expressing an enzyme detoxifying the herbicide or a mutant glutaminesynthase enzyme that is resistant to inhibition. One such efficientdetoxifying enzyme is an enzyme encoding a phosphinothricinacetyltransferase (such as the bar or pat protein from Streptomycesspecies). Plants expressing an exogenous phosphinothricinacetyltransferase are also described.

Further herbicide-tolerant plants are also plants that are made tolerantto the herbicides inhibiting the enzyme hydroxyphenylpyruvatedioxygenase(HPPD). Hydroxyphenylpyruvatedioxygenases are enzymes that catalyze thereaction in which para-hydroxyphenylpyruvate (HPP) is transformed intohomogentisate. Plants tolerant to HPPD-inhibitors can be transformedwith a gene encoding a naturally-occurring resistant HPPD enzyme, or agene encoding a mutated HPPD enzyme. Tolerance to HPPD-inhibitors canalso be obtained by transforming plants with genes encoding certainenzymes enabling the formation of homogentisate despite the inhibitionof the native HPPD enzyme by the HPPD-inhibitor.

Tolerance of plants to HPPD inhibitors can also be improved bytransforming plants with a gene encoding an enzyme prephenatedehydrogenase in addition to a gene encoding an HPPD-tolerant enzyme.

Still further herbicide resistant plants are plants that are madetolerant to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors. Known ALS-inhibitorsinclude, for example, sulfonylurea, imidazolinone, triazolopyrimidines,pyrimidinyoxy(thio)benzoates, and/or sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinoneherbicides. Different mutations in the ALS enzyme (also known asacetohydroxyacid synthase, AHAS) are known to confer tolerance todifferent herbicides and groups of herbicides. The production ofsulfonylurea-tolerant plants and imidazolinone-tolerant plants isdescribed in WO 1996/033270. Other imidazolinone-tolerant plants arealso described. Further sulfonylurea- and imidazolinone-tolerant plantsare also described in for example WO 2007/024782.

Other plants tolerant to imidazolinone and/or sulfonylurea can beobtained by induced mutagenesis, selection in cell cultures in thepresence of the herbicide or mutation breeding as described for examplefor soybeans, for rice, for sugar beet, for lettuce, or for sunflower.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods suchas genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to theinvention are insect-resistant transgenic plants, i.e. plants maderesistant to attack by certain target insects. Such plants can beobtained by genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containinga mutation imparting such insect resistance.

An “insect-resistant transgenic plant”, as used herein, includes anyplant containing at least one transgene comprising a coding sequenceencoding:

-   -   1) An insecticidal crystal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis        or an insecticidal portion thereof, such as the insecticidal        crystal proteins listed online at:        www.lifesci.sussex.ac.uk/Home/Neil_Crickmore/Bt/, or        insecticidal portions thereof, e.g., proteins of the Cry protein        classes Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1F, Cry2Ab, Cry2Ae, Cry3Aa, or Cry3Bb        or insecticidal portions thereof; or    -   2) a crystal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or a portion        thereof which is insecticidal in the presence of a second other        crystal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or a portion        thereof, such as the binary toxin made up of the Cry34 and Cry35        crystal proteins; or    -   3) a hybrid insecticidal protein comprising parts of different        insecticidal crystal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis, such        as a hybrid of the proteins of 1) above or a hybrid of the        proteins of 2) above, e.g., the Cry1A.105 protein produced by        corn event MON98034 (WO 2007/027777); or    -   4) a protein of any one of 1) to 3) above wherein some,        particularly 1 to 10, amino acids have been replaced by another        amino acid to obtain a higher insecticidal activity to a target        insect species, and/or to expand the range of target insect        species affected, and/or because of changes introduced into the        encoding DNA during cloning or transformation, such as the        Cry3Bb1 protein in corn events MON863 or MON88017, or the Cry3A        protein in corn event MIR604;    -   5) an insecticidal secreted protein from Bacillus thuringiensis        or Bacillus cereus, or an insecticidal portion thereof, such as        the vegetative insecticidal (VIP) proteins listed at:        www.lifesci.sussex.ac.uk/home/Neil_Crickmore/Bt/vip.html, e.g.        proteins from the VIP3Aa protein class; or    -   6) secreted protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or Bacillus        cereus which is insecticidal in the presence of a second        secreted protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or B. cereus, such        as the binary toxin made up of the VIP1A and VIP2A proteins; or    -   7) hybrid insecticidal protein comprising parts from different        secreted proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis or Bacillus        cereus, such as a hybrid of the proteins in 1) above or a hybrid        of the proteins in 2) above; or    -   8) protein of any one of 1) to 3) above wherein some,        particularly 1 to 10, amino acids have been replaced by another        amino acid to obtain a higher insecticidal activity to a target        insect species, and/or to expand the range of target insect        species affected, and/or because of changes introduced into the        encoding DNA during cloning or transformation (while still        encoding an insecticidal protein), such as the VIP3Aa protein in        cotton event COT102.

Of course, an insect-resistant transgenic plant, as used herein, alsoincludes any plant comprising a combination of genes encoding theproteins of any one of the above classes 1 to 8. In one embodiment, aninsect-resistant plant contains more than one transgene encoding aprotein of any one of the above classes 1 to 8, to expand the range oftarget insect species affected when using different proteins directed atdifferent target insect species, or to delay insect resistancedevelopment to the plants by using different proteins insecticidal tothe same target insect species but having a different mode of action,such as binding to different receptor binding sites in the insect.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods suchas genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to theinvention are tolerant to abiotic stresses. Such plants can be obtainedby genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containing amutation imparting such stress resistance. Particularly useful stresstolerance plants include:

-   -   a. plants which contain a transgene capable of reducing the        expression and/or the activity of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase        (PARP) gene in the plant cells or plants    -   b. plants which contain a stress tolerance enhancing transgene        capable of reducing the expression and/or the activity of the        poly(ADP-ribose)glycohydrolase (PARG) encoding genes of the        plants or plants cells.    -   c. plants which contain a stress tolerance enhancing transgene        coding for a plant-functional enzyme of the nicotinamide adenine        dinucleotide salvage synthesis pathway including nicotinamidase,        nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase, nicotinic acid        mononucleotide adenyl transferase, nicotinamide adenine        dinucleotide synthetase or nicotine amide        phosphoribosyltransferase.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods suchas genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to theinvention show altered quantity, quality and/or storage-stability of theharvested product and/or altered properties of specific ingredients ofthe harvested product such as:

-   -   1) transgenic plants which synthesize a modified starch, which        in its physical-chemical characteristics, in particular the        amylose content or the amylose/amylopectin ratio, the degree of        branching, the average chain length, the side chain        distribution, the viscosity behaviour, the gelling strength, the        starch grain size and/or the starch grain morphology, is changed        in comparison with the synthesised starch in wild type plant        cells or plants, so that this is better suited for special        applications.    -   2) transgenic plants which synthesize non starch carbohydrate        polymers or which synthesize non starch carbohydrate polymers        with altered properties in comparison to wild type plants        without genetic modification. Examples are plants producing        polyfructose, especially of the inulin and levan-type, plants        producing alpha 1,4 glucans, plants producing alpha-1,6 branched        alpha-1,4-glucans, plants producing alternan,    -   3) transgenic plants which produce hyaluronan.

Plants or plant cultivars (that can be obtained by plant biotechnologymethods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated accordingto the invention are plants, such as cotton plants, with altered fibercharacteristics. Such plants can be obtained by genetic transformationor by selection of plants contain a mutation imparting such alteredfiber characteristics and include:

-   -   a) Plants, such as cotton plants, containing an altered form of        cellulose synthase genes,    -   b) Plants, such as cotton plants, containing an altered form of        rsw2 or rsw3 homologous nucleic acids,    -   c) Plants, such as cotton plants, with increased expression of        sucrose phosphate synthase,    -   d) Plants, such as cotton plants, with increased expression of        sucrose synthase,    -   e) Plants, such as cotton plants, wherein the timing of the        plasmodesmatal gating at the basis of the fiber cell is altered,        e.g. through downregulation of fiberselective β 1,3-glucanase,    -   f) Plants, such as cotton plants, having fibers with altered        reactivity, e.g. through the expression of        N-acteylglucosaminetransferase gene including nodC and        chitinsynthase genes.

Plants or plant cultivars (that can be obtained by plant biotechnologymethods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated accordingto the invention are plants, such as oilseed rape or related Brassicaplants, with altered oil profile characteristics. Such plants can beobtained by genetic transformation or by selection of plants contain amutation imparting such altered oil characteristics and include:

-   -   a) Plants, such as oilseed rape plants, producing oil having a        high oleic acid content,    -   b) Plants such as oilseed rape plants, producing oil having a        low linolenic acid content,    -   c) Plant such as oilseed rape plants, producing oil having a low        level of saturated fatty acids.

Particularly useful transgenic plants which may be treated according tothe invention are plants which comprise one or more genes which encodeone or more toxins, such as the following which are sold under the tradenames YIELD GARD® (for example maize, cotton, soya beans), KnockOut®(for example maize), BiteGard® (for example maize), Bt-Xtra® (forexample maize), StarLink® (for example maize), Bollgard® (cotton),Nucotn® (cotton), Nucotn 33B® (cotton), NatureGard® (for example maize),Protecta® and NewLeaf® (potato). Examples of herbicide-tolerant plantswhich may be mentioned are maize varieties, cotton varieties and soyabean varieties which are sold under the trade names Roundup Ready®(tolerance to glyphosate, for example maize, cotton, soya bean), LibertyLink® (tolerance to phosphinotricin, for example oilseed rape), IMI®(tolerance to imidazolinones) and STS® (tolerance to sulphonylureas, forexample maize). Herbicide-resistant plants (plants bred in aconventional manner for herbicide tolerance) which may be mentionedinclude the varieties sold under the name Clearfield® (for examplemaize).

Particularly useful transgenic plants which may be treated according tothe invention are plants containing transformation events, or acombination of transformation events, and that are listed for example inthe databases for various national or regional regulatory agenciesincluding Event 1143-14A (cotton, insect control, not deposited,described in WO 06/128569); Event 1143-51B (cotton, insect control, notdeposited, described in WO 06/128570); Event 1445 (cotton, herbicidetolerance, not deposited, described in US-A 2002-120964 or WO02/034946); Event 17053 (rice, herbicide tolerance, deposited asPTA-9843, described in WO 10/117737); Event 17314 (rice, herbicidetolerance, deposited as PTA-9844, described in WO 10/117735); Event281-24-236 (cotton, insect control-herbicide tolerance, deposited asPTA-6233, described in WO 05/103266 or US-A 2005-216969); Event3006-210-23 (cotton, insect control-herbicide tolerance, deposited asPTA-6233, described in US-A 2007-143876 or WO 05/103266); Event 3272(corn, quality trait, deposited as PTA-9972, described in WO 06/098952or US-A 2006-230473); Event 40416 (corn, insect control-herbicidetolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-11508, described in WO 11/075593);Event 43A47 (corn, insect control-herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCCPTA-11509, described in WO 11/075595); Event 5307 (corn, insect control,deposited as ATCC PTA-9561, described in WO 10/077816); Event ASR-368(bent grass, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-4816, describedin US-A 2006-162007 or WO 04/053062); Event B16 (corn, herbicidetolerance, not deposited, described in US-A 2003-126634); EventBPS-CV127-9 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited as NCIMB No. 41603,described in WO 10/080829); Event CE43-67B (cotton, insect control,deposited as DSM ACC2724, described in US-A 2009-217423 or WO06/128573); Event CE44-69D (cotton, insect control, not deposited,described in US-A 2010-0024077); Event CE44-69D (cotton, insect control,not deposited, described in WO 06/128571); Event CE46-02A (cotton,insect control, not deposited, described in WO 06/128572); Event COT102(cotton, insect control, not deposited, described in US-A 2006-130175 orWO 04/039986); Event COT202 (cotton, insect control, not deposited,described in US-A 2007-067868 or WO 05/054479); Event COT203 (cotton,insect control, not deposited, described in WO 05/054480); EventDAS40278 (corn, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-10244,described in WO 11/022469); Event DAS-59122-7 (corn, insectcontrol-herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA 11384, described inUS-A 2006-070139); Event DAS-59132 (corn, insect control-herbicidetolerance, not deposited, described in WO 09/100188); Event DAS68416(soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-10442, described inWO 11/066384 or WO 11/066360); Event DP-098140-6 (corn, herbicidetolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-8296, described in US-A 2009-137395 orWO 08/112019); Event DP-305423-1 (soybean, quality trait, not deposited,described in US-A 2008-312082 or WO 08/054747); Event DP-32138-1 (corn,hybridization system, deposited as ATCC PTA-9158, described in US-A2009-0210970 or WO 09/103049); Event DP-356043-5 (soybean, herbicidetolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-8287, described in US-A 2010-0184079 orWO 08/002872); Event EE-1 (brinjal, insect control, not deposited,described in WO 07/091277); Event FI117 (corn, herbicide tolerance,deposited as ATCC 209031, described in US-A 2006-059581 or WO98/044140); Event GA21 (corn, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC209033, described in US-A 2005-086719 or WO 98/044140); Event GG25(corn, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC 209032, described in US-A2005-188434 or WO 98/044140); Event GHB119 (cotton, insectcontrol-herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-8398, described in WO08/151780); Event GHB614 (cotton, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCCPTA-6878, described in US-A 2010-050282 or WO 07/017186); Event GJ11(corn, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC 209030, described in US-A2005-188434 or WO 98/044140); Event GM RZ13 (sugar beet, virusresistance, deposited as NCIMB-41601, described in WO 10/076212); EventH7-1 (sugar beet, herbicide tolerance, deposited as NCIMB 41158 or NCIMB41159, described in US-A 2004-172669 or WO 04/074492); Event JOPLIN1(wheat, disease tolerance, not deposited, described in US-A2008-064032); Event LL27 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited asNCIMB41658, described in WO 06/108674 or US-A 2008-320616); Event LL55(soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited as NCIMB 41660, described in WO06/108675 or US-A 2008-196127); Event LLcotton25 (cotton, herbicidetolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-3343, described in WO 03/013224 or US-A2003-097687); Event LLRICE06 (rice, herbicide tolerance, deposited asATCC-23352, described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,468,747 or WO 00/026345); EventLLRICE601 (rice, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-2600,described in US-A 2008-2289060 or WO 00/026356); Event LY038 (corn,quality trait, deposited as ATCC PTA-5623, described in US-A 2007-028322or WO 05/061720); Event MIR162 (corn, insect control, deposited asPTA-8166, described in US-A 2009-300784 or WO 07/142840); Event MIR604(corn, insect control, not deposited, described in US-A 2008-167456 orWO 05/103301); Event MON15985 (cotton, insect control, deposited as ATCCPTA-2516, described in US-A 2004-250317 or WO 02/100163); Event MON810(corn, insect control, not deposited, described in US-A 2002-102582);Event MON863 (corn, insect control, deposited as ATCC PTA-2605,described in WO 04/011601 or US-A 2006-095986); Event MON87427 (corn,pollination control, deposited as ATCC PTA-7899, described in WO11/062904); Event MON87460 (corn, stress tolerance, deposited as ATCCPTA-8910, described in WO 09/111263 or US-A 2011-0138504); EventMON87701 (soybean, insect control, deposited as ATCC PTA-8194, describedin US-A 2009-130071 or WO 09/064652); Event MON87705 (soybean, qualitytrait-herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-9241, described in US-A2010-0080887 or WO 10/037016); Event MON87708 (soybean, herbicidetolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA9670, described in WO 11/034704); EventMON87754 (soybean, quality trait, deposited as ATCC PTA-9385, describedin WO 10/024976); Event MON87769 (soybean, quality trait, deposited asATCC PTA-8911, described in US-A 2011-0067141 or WO 09/102873); EventMON88017 (corn, insect control-herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCCPTA-5582, described in US-A 2008-028482 or WO 05/059103); Event MON88913(cotton, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-4854, described inWO 04/072235 or US-A 2006-059590); Event MON89034 (corn, insect control,deposited as ATCC PTA-7455, described in WO 07/140256 or US-A2008-260932); Event MON89788 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited asATCC PTA-6708, described in US-A 2006-282915 or WO 06/130436); EventMS11 (oilseed rape, pollination control-herbicide tolerance, depositedas ATCC PTA-850 or PTA-2485, described in WO 01/031042); Event MS8(oilseed rape, pollination control-herbicide tolerance, deposited asATCC PTA-730, described in WO 01/041558 or US-A 2003-188347); EventNK603 (corn, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-2478, describedin US-A 2007-292854); Event PE-7 (rice, insect control, not deposited,described in WO 08/114282); Event RF3 (oilseed rape, pollinationcontrol-herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-730, described in WO01/041558 or US-A 2003-188347); Event RT73 (oilseed rape, herbicidetolerance, not deposited, described in WO 02/036831 or US-A2008-070260); Event T227-1 (sugar beet, herbicide tolerance, notdeposited, described in WO 02/44407 or US-A 2009-265817); Event T25(corn, herbicide tolerance, not deposited, described in US-A 2001-029014or WO 01/051654); Event T304-40 (cotton, insect control-herbicidetolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-8171, described in US-A 2010-077501 orWO 08/122406); Event T342-142 (cotton, insect control, not deposited,described in WO 06/128568); Event TC1507 (corn, insect control-herbicidetolerance, not deposited, described in US-A 2005-039226 or WO04/099447); Event VIP1034 (corn, insect control-herbicide tolerance,deposited as ATCC PTA-3925, described in WO 03/052073), Event 32316(corn, insect control-herbicide tolerance, deposited as PTA-11507,described in WO 11/084632), Event 4114 (corn, insect control-herbicidetolerance, deposited as PTA-11506, described in WO 11/084621), EventDAS21606 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATTC PTA-11028,described in WO2012/033794, Event DAS44406 (soybean, herbicidetolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-11336, described in WO2012/075426),Event FP72 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited as NCIMB 41659,described in WO2011/063411), Event KK179-2 (alfalfa, quality trait,deposited as ATCC PTA-11833, described in WO2013/003558), Event LLRICE62(rice, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC-203352, described inWO2000/026345), Event MON87712 (soybean, deposited as ATTC PTA-10296,described in WO2012/051199), Event MON88302 (oilseed rape, herbicidetolerance, described in WO2011/153186), Event MS8 (oilseed rape,pollination control and herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-730,described in WO2001/041558), Event MZDTO9Y (corn, stress tolerance,deposited as ATCC PTA-13025, described in WO2013/012775), EventpDAB8264.42.32 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCCPTA-11993, described in WO2013/010094), Event pDAB8264.44.05 (soybean,herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-11336, described inWO2012/075426), Event pDAB8291 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, depositedas ATCC PTA-11355, described in WO2012/075426).

Particularly useful transgenic plants which may be treated according tothe invention are plants containing transformation events, orcombination of transformation events, that are listed for example in thedatabases from various national or regional regulatory agencies (see forexample gmoinfo.jrc.it/gmp_browse.aspx and www.agbios.com/dbase.php).

The examples illustrate the invention.

Example 1 Fermentation Product Containing Increased Levels ofGougerotin—Use of Glycine

Fermentation was conducted to optimize gougerotin production andmiticidal activity of NRRL B-50550. A primary seed culture was preparedas described in Example 1 using a media composed of 10.0 g/L starch,15.0 g/L glucose, 10.0 g/L yeast extract, 10.0 g/L casein hydrolysate(or 10.0 g/L soy peptone) and 2.0 g/L CaCO₃ in 2 L shake flasks at20-30° C. When there was abundant mycelial growth in the shake flasks,after about 1-2 days, the contents were transferred to fresh media (sameas above, with 0.1% antifoam) and grown in a 400 L fermentor at 20-30°C. When there was abundant mycelial growth, after about 20-30 hours, thecontents were transferred to a 3000 L fermentor and grown for 160-200hours at 20-30° C. in media composed of 80.0 g/L (8.0%) Maltodextrin,30.0 g/L (3.0%) glucose, 15.0 g/L (1.5%) yeast extract, 20.0 g/L (2.0%)soy acid hydrolysate, 10.0 g/L (1.0%) glycine and 2.0 g/L (0.2%) calciumcarbonate and 2.0 ml/L antifoam.

TABLE 1 Yield and Normalized Gougerotin Productivity Harvest HarvestTotal Target Normalized Titer Weight Gougerotin Volume Volumetric (mg/g)(kg) (kg) (L) Titer (g/L) First 3000 L 1.7 3397 5.78 3000 1.9Fermentation Second 3000 L 1.8 3511 6.33 3000 2.1 Fermentation

Using the first 3000 L fermentation as an example, the yield ofgougerotin in the fermentor is calculated as follows. 3397 kg×1.7 mg/gFermentation broth=5774.90 g gougerotin=5.78 kg. The initial weight inthe fermentor was 3496 kg (3256 kg Medium+240 kg Seed), which resultedin a final volume more than the target volume 3000 L. Since the targetvolume 3000 L is the basis for calculating the amount of all ingredientsin the production medium, the normalized volumetric productivity is:5774.9 g/3000 L=1.9 g/L. This gougerotin concentration was similar tothe 1.8 g/L achieved in a 20 L fermentation conducted using the samemedia as described above, with the final fermentation step and mediacontaining glycine (as amino acid). Gougerotin production was measuredusing analytical HPLC chromatography. Briefly, test samples (1.0 g) aretransferred to a centrifuge tube and extracted with 3 mL of water. Thecomponents are mixed by vortex and ultra-sonication then separated usingcentrifugation. The supernatant is decanted into a clean flask. Thisprocedure is repeated one additional time, with the supernatant beingcombined with the previously separated supernatant. The aqueous extractis made to a final volume of 10 mL and assayed for gougerotin contentusing analytical HPLC chromatography.

The diluted sample is filtered and analyzed by HPLC using a CogentDiamond hydride column (100A, 4 μm, 150×4.6 mm) fitted with a DiamondHydride guard column. The column is eluted with a 30 minuteAcetonitrile/NH₄OAC gradient (see below). Flow rate is 1 mL/min.Detection of the desired metabolite is made at 254 nm. Gougerotin elutesas a single peak with an approximate retention time of 17-19 minutes.

Example 2 Synergistic Combination of Gougerotin-Containing FermentationProducts of Streptomyces microflavus and the Synthetic MiticideSpiromesifen

Experiments were conducted to determine miticidal efficacy of acombination of a fermentation product of a gougerotin-producingStreptomyces strain with a synthetic miticide. Whole broth ofStreptomyces microflavus NRRL B-50550 containing about 1.9 mg/ggougerotin was prepared in a manner similar to that described in Example1, above. (Density of such whole broth is about 1 g/ml.) Such wholebroth was diluted in 8 ml adjuvant plus water, and 8 ml of diluted brothapplied to plants either alone or in combination with the OBERONmiticide (Bayer CropScience, Germany, having 23.1% spiromesifen activeingredient). Other plants were treated with the OBERON product alone.All plants were then infested with mites. Mite control was rated asfollows:

4=no different from control3=10-15% control2.5=ca. 50% control2=ca. 80% control1.5=95% control1=all mites dead/no eggs visible.Results are shown in FIG. 1: Combinations of spiromesifen and gougerotincontaining formulated fermentation product of NRRL B-50550 showsynergistic activity against mites.

Doses of the OBERON product are described here as ml per 100 ml spraysolution. The high and low doses of the OBERON product shown in FIG. 1correspond to 87 and 21.8 micrograms of spiromesifen applied per plant,respectively. For the 0.4% NRRL B-50550 dose, 32 mg whole brothcontaining 60.8 micrograms of gougerotin was applied to plants.Translating potency from the above scale to % control, 7.8 ml/100 mlspray solution of the OBERON product provided <10% control, 0.4% NRRLB-50550 about 10% control, and the combination provided 80% control.Thus, the combination is synergistic.

Example 3 Formula for the Efficacy of the Combination of Two Compounds

The expected efficacy of a given combination of two compounds iscalculated as follows (see Colby, S. R., “Calculating Synergistic andantagonistic Responses of Herbicide Combinations”, Weeds 15, pp. 20-22,1967):

If

X is the efficacy expressed in % mortality of the untreated control fortest compound A at a concentration of m ppm respectively m g/ha,

Y is the efficacy expressed in % mortality of the untreated control fortest compound B at a concentration of n ppm respectively n g/ha,

E is the efficacy expressed in % mortality of the untreated controlusing the mixture of A and B at m and n ppm respectively m and n g/ha,

then is

$E = {X + Y - \frac{X \times Y}{100}}$

If the observed insecticidal efficacy of the combination is higher thanthe one calculated as “E”, then the combination of the two compounds ismore than additive, i.e., there is a synergistic effect.

Example 4 Phaedon cochleariae—Spray Test

In this and the following examples gougerotin containing formulationsderived from NRRLB-50550 were tested in combination with otherinsecticides to determine whether the two components act synergisticallyagainst various target pests. In each of the following examples,freeze-dried powder of NRRL B-50550 was obtained from a gougerotincontaining fermentation broth prepared in a similar manner to thatdescribed in Example 1. This freeze-dried powder (i.e., fermentationproduct) was then formulated with inert ingredients (a wetting agent,stabilizer, carrier, flow aid and dispersant) to make a wettable powder.The formulated product comprised 75% by weight freeze-dried powder and19.10 mg/g gougerotin. Thus, the freeze-dried powder (i.e. fermentationproduct) comprises 2.5% gougerotin. This formulated freeze-dried powderis referred to herein as the NRRL B-50550 75 WP.

Solvent: 78.0 parts by weight of acetone

-   -   1.5 parts by weight of dimethylformamide

Emulsifier: alkylaryl polyglycol ether

To produce a suitable preparation of insecticide, 1 part by weight ofactive compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvents and isdiluted with water, containing an emulsifier concentration of 1000 ppm,to the desired concentration. To produce a suitable preparation of aNRRL B-50550, 1 part by weight of NRRL B-50550 75 WP was mixed with thestated amount of solvents and was diluted with water, containing anemulsifier concentration of 1000 ppm, to the desired concentration.Further test concentrations are prepared by dilution with emulsifiercontaining water.

Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis) leaf-disks are sprayed with apreparation of the active ingredient of the desired concentration. Oncedry, the leaf disks are infested with mustard beetle larvae (Phaedoncochleariae).

After the specified period of time, mortality in % is determined 100%means all beetle larvae have been killed and 0% means none of the beetlelarvae have been killed. The mortality values determined thus arerecalculated using the Colby-formula.

According to the present application in this test e.g. the followingcombinations of the gougerotin containing formulated product with atleast one insecticide is greater than the calculated activity, i.e. asynergistic effect is present. This also indicates that the activityshows a synergistic effect in comparison to the single compounds:

TABLE 2 Phaedon cochleariae - test Active Ingredient or GougerotinComponent of Concentration Efficacy Active Ingredient in ppm in % after2^(d) NRRL B-50550 80 0 Gougerotin 2.036 1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-0.64 50 cyano-2-methyl-6- (methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H- tetrazol-2-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide obs.* cal.** NRRL B-50550 + 1-(3-   80 + 0.64 8350 chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano- 2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3- {[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-tetrazol-2-yl]methyl}-1H- pyrazole-5-carboxamide (125:1) Gougerotin +2.036 + 0.64  1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N- [4-cyano-2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3- {[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-tetrazol-2-yl]methyl}-1H- pyrazole-5-carboxamide (3.2:1) according tothe invention Spinosad 80 50 obs.* cal.** NRRL B-50550 + Spinosad 80 +80 83 50 (1:1) Gougerotin + Spinosad 2.036 + 80   (1:39.3) according tothe invention Tefluthrin 40 0 obs.* cal.** NRRL B-50550 + Tefluthrin80 + 40 33  0 (2:1) Gougerotin + Tefluthrin 2.036 + 40   (1:19.6)according to the invention

TABLE 3 Phaedon cochleariae - test Active Ingredient or GougerotinComponent of Concentration Efficacy Active Ingredient in ppm in % after6^(d) NRRL B-50550 96 0 80 0 Gougerotin 2.444 2.0361-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4- 0.128 0 cyano-2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3- {[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-tetrazol-2-yl]methyl}-1H- pyrazole-5-carboxamide obs.* cal.** NRRLB-50550 + 1-(3-   80 + 0.128 67 0 chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6- (methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3- {[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-tetrazol-2-yl]methyl}-1H- pyrazole-5-carboxamide (625:1) Gougerotin +1-(3- 2.036 + 0.128 chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano- 2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3- {[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-tetrazol-2-yl]methyl}-1H- pyrazole-5-carboxamide (15.9:1) according tothe invention β-Cyfluthrin 1.6 0 obs.* cal.** NRRL B-50550 + β-  96 +1.6 67 0 Cyfluthrin (60:1) Gougerotin + β-Cyfluthrin 2.444 + 1.6 (1.5:1) according to the invention Cyantraniliprole 0.64 0 obs.* cal.**NRRL B-50550 +   80 + 0.64 50 0 Cyantraniliprole (125:1) Gougerotin +Cyantraniliprole 2.036 + 0.64  (3.2:1) according to the invention *obs.= observed insecticidal efficacy, **cal. = efficacy calculated withColby-formula

Example 5 Spodoptera frugiperda—Spray Test

Solvent: 78.0 parts by weight acetone

-   -   1.5 parts by weight dimethylformamide

Emulsifier: alkylaryl polyglycol ether

To produce a suitable preparation of insecticide, 1 part by weight ofactive compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvents and isdiluted with water, containing an emulsifier concentration of 1000 ppm,to the desired concentration. To produce a suitable preparation of NRRLB-50550, 1 part by weight of NRRL B-50550 75 WP is mixed with the statedamount of solvents and is diluted with water, containing an emulsifierconcentration of 1000 ppm, to the desired concentration. Further testconcentrations are prepared by dilution with emulsifier containingwater.

Maize (Zea mais) leaf sections are sprayed with a preparation of theactive ingredient of the desired concentration. Once dry, the leafsections are infested with fall armyworm larvae (Spodoptera frugiperda).

After the specified period of time, mortality in % is determined 100%means all caterpillars have been killed and 0% means none of thecaterpillars have been killed. The mortality values determined thus arerecalculated using the Colby-formula.

According to the present application in this test e.g. the followingcombinations of the gougerotin containing formulated product with atleast one insecticide is greater than the calculated activity, i.e. asynergistic effect is present. This also indicates that the activityshows a synergistic effect in comparison to the single compounds:

TABLE 4 Spodoptera frugiperda - test Active Ingredient or GougerotinComponent of Concentration Efficacy Active Ingredient in ppm in % after2^(d) NRRL B-50550 96 0 80 0 Gougerotin 2.4442.036 Flubendiamide 3.2 33obs.* cal.** NRRL B-50550 +  80 + 3.2 67 33  Flubendiamide (25:1)Gougerotin + Flubendiamide 2.036 + 3.2  (1:1.6) according to theinvention Spinetoram 0.64 0 obs.* cal.** NRRL B-50550 + Spinetoram  80 + 0.64 33 0 (125:1) Gougerotin + Spinetoram 2.036 + 0.64  (3.2:1)according to the invention Thiodicarb 40 0 obs.* cal.** NRRL B-50550 +Thiodicarb 96 + 40 33 0 (2.4:1) Gougerotin + Thiodicarb 2.444 + 40  (1:16.4) according to the invention

TABLE 5 Spodoptera frugiperda - test Active Ingredient or GougerotinComponent of Concentration Efficacy Active Ingredient in ppm in % after6^(d) NRRL B-50550 96 0 80 0 Gougerotin 2.444 2.0361-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4- 0.64 33 cyano-2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3- {[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-tetrazol-2-yl]methyl}-1H- pyrazole-5-carboxamide obs.* cal.** NRRLB-50550 + 1-(3-   80 + 0.64 83 33  chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6- (methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3- {[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-tetrazol-2-yl]methyl}-1H- pyrazole-5-carboxamide (125:1) Gougerotin +1-(3- 2.036 + 0.64 chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano- 2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3- {[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-tetrazol-2-yl]methyl}-1H- pyrazole-5-carboxamide (3.2:1) according tothe invention β-Cyfluthrin 1.6 0 obs.* cal.** NRRL B-50550 + β-   96 +1.6 83 0 Cyfluthrin (60:1) Gougerotin + β-Cyfluthrin 2.444 + 1.6 (1.5:1) according to the invention Fipronil 16 0 obs.* cal.** NRRLB-50550 + Fipronil  80 + 16 33 0 (5:1) Gougerotin 2.036 + 16   (1:7.9)according to the invention Spinosad 0.64 0 obs.* cal.** NRRL B-50550 +Spinosad   80 + 0.64 50 0 (125:1) Gougerotin + Spinosad 2.036 + 0.64(3.2:1) according to the invention *obs. = observed insecticidalefficacy, **cal. = efficacy calculated with Colby-formula

Example 6 Myzus persicae—Spray Test

Solvent: 78.0 parts by weight acetone

-   -   1.5 parts by weight dimethylformamide

Emulsifier: alkylaryl polyglycol ether

To produce a suitable preparation of insecticide, 1 part by weight ofactive compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvents and isdiluted with water, containing an emulsifier concentration of 1000 ppm,to the desired concentration. To produce a suitable preparation of NRRLB50550, 1 part by weight of NRRL B50550 75 WP is mixed with the statedamount of solvents and is diluted with water, containing an emulsifierconcentration of 1000 ppm, to the desired concentration. Further testconcentrations are prepared by dilution with emulsifier containingwater.

Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis) leaf-disks infected with allinstars of the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) are sprayed with apreparation of the active ingredient of the desired concentration. Afterthe specified period of time, mortality in % is determined 100% meansall aphids have been killed; 0% means none of the aphids have beenkilled. The mortality values determined thus are recalculated using theColby-formula.

According to the present application in this test e.g. the followingcombinations of the gougerotin containing formulated product with atleast one insecticide is greater than the calculated activity, i.e. asynergistic effect is present. This also indicates that the activityshows a synergistic effect in comparison to the single compounds:

TABLE 6 Myzus persicae - test Active Ingredient or Gougerotin Componentof Concentration Efficacy Active Ingredient in ppm in % after 1^(d) NRRLB-50550 96 0 80 0 Gougerotin 2.444 2.036 Chlorantraniliprole 3.2 0 obs.*cal.** NRRL B-50550 +  80 + 3.2 70 0 Chlorantraniliprole (25:1)Gougerotin + 2.036 + 3.2  Chlorantraniliprole (1:1.6) according to theinvention Cyantraniliprole 16 0 obs.* cal.** NRRL B-50550 + 80 + 16 70 0Cyantraniliprole (5:1) Gougerotin + 2.036 + 16   Cyantraniliprole(1:7.9) according to the invention Sulfoxaflor 0.64 0 obs.* cal.** NRRLB-50550 + Sulfoxaflor   80 + 0.64 70 0 (125:1) Gougerotin + Sulfoxaflor2.036 + 0.64  (3.2:1) according to the invention

TABLE 7 Myzus persicae - test Active Ingredient or Gougerotin Componentof Concentration Efficacy Active Ingredient in ppm in % after 6^(d) NRRLB-50550 96 0 80 0 Gougerotin 2.444 2.036 β-Cyfluthrin 1.6 0 obs.* cal.**NRRL B-50550 + β-   96 + 1.6 70 0 Cyfluthrin (60:1) Gougerotin +β-Cyfluthrin 2.444 + 1.6  (1.5:1) according to the inventionClothianidin 0.32 0 obs.* cal.** NRRL B-50550 +   96 + 0.32 100  0Clothianidin (300:1) Gougerotin + Clothianidin 2.444 + 0.32 (7.6:1)according to the invention Cyantraniliprole 3.2 0 0.64 0 obs.* cal.**NRRL B-50550 + Cyantraniliprole (25:1)   80 + 3.2 70 0 (125:1)   80 +0.64 70 0 Gougerotin + Cyantraniliprole (1:1.6) 2.036 + 3.2  (3.2:1)2.036 + 0.64 according to the invention Methiocarb 2000 0 obs.* cal.**NRRL B-50550 + Methiocarb   80 + 2000 70 0 (1:25) Gougerotin +Methiocarb 2.036 + 2000 (1:982.3) according to the invention *obs. =observed insecticidal efficacy, **cal. = efficacy calculated withColby-formula

Example 7 Tetranychus urticae—Spray Test, OP-Resistant

Solvent: 78.0 parts by weight acetone

-   -   1.5 parts by weight dimethylformamide

Emulsifier: alkylaryl polyglycol ether

To produce a suitable preparation of insecticide, 1 part by weight ofactive compound was mixed with the stated amount of solvents and isdiluted with water, containing an emulsifier concentration of 1000 ppm,to the desired concentration. To produce a suitable preparation of NRRLB50550, 1 part by weight of NRRL B50550 75 WP is mixed with the statedamount of solvents and is diluted with water, containing an emulsifierconcentration of 1000 ppm, to the desired concentration. Further testconcentrations are prepared by dilution with emulsifier containingwater. French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) which are heavily infested withall stages of the two spotted spidermite (Tetranychus urticae), aresprayed with a preparation of the active ingredient of the desiredconcentration.

After the specified period of time, mortality in % is determined 100%means all spider mites have been killed and 0% means none of the spidermites have been killed. The mortality values determined thus arerecalculated using the Colby-formula.

According to the present application in this test e.g. the followingcombinations of the gougerotin containing formulated product with atleast one insecticide is greater than the calculated activity, i.e. asynergistic effect is present. This also indicates that the activityshows a synergistic effect in comparison to the single compounds:

TABLE 8 Tetranychus urticae - test Active Ingredient or GougerotinComponent of Concentration Efficacy Active Ingredient in ppm in % after6^(d) NRRL B-50550 120 0 80 0 Gougerotin 3.056 2.0361-{2-fluoro-4-methyl-5-[(2,2,2- 3.2 0 trifluoroethyl)sulfinyl]phenyl}-3- (trifluoromethyl)-1H-1,2,4- triazol-5-amine obs.* cal.** NRRLB-50550 + 1-{2-fluoro-  80 + 3.2 70 0 4-methyl-5-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)sulfinyl] phenyl}-3- (trifluoromethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-amine (25:1) Gougerotin + 1-{2-fluoro-4- 2.036 + 3.2 methyl-5-[(2,2,2- trifluoroethyl)sulfinyl] phenyl}-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-1,2,4- triazol-5-amine (1:1.6) according to theinvention Chlorantraniliprole 16 0 obs.* cal.** NRRL B-50550 + 80 + 1690 0 Chlorantraniliprole (5:1) Gougerotin + 2.036 + 16  Chlorantraniliprole (1:1.6) according to the invention Cyantraniliprole80 0 obs.* cal.** NRRL B-50550 + 80 + 80 90 0 Cyantraniliprole (1:1)Gougerotin + 2.036 + 80   Cyantraniliprole (1:7.9) according to theinvention Imidacloprid 2 0 obs.* cal.** NRRL B-50550 + 120 + 2  70 0Imidacloprid (60:1) Gougerotin + Imidacloprid 3.056 + 2    (1.5:1)according to the invention *obs. = observed insecticidal efficacy,**cal. = efficacy calculated with Colby-formula

Example 8 Myzus persicae—Spray Test

Solvent: 7 parts by weight of dimethylformamide

Emulsifier: alkylaryl polyglycol ether

To produce a suitable preparation of insecticide, 1 part by weight ofactive compound was mixed with the stated amount of solvents and isdiluted with water, containing an emulsifier concentration of 1000 ppm,to the desired concentration. To produce a suitable preparation of NRRLB50550, 1 part by weight of NRRL B50550 75WP is mixed with the statedamount of solvents and is diluted with water, containing an emulsifierconcentration of 1000 ppm, to the desired concentration. Further testconcentrations are prepared by dilution with emulsifier containingwater.

Ammonium salt and/or penetration enhancer in a dosage of 1000 ppm areadded to the desired concentration if necessary.

Pepper leaves (Capsicum annuum) which are heavily infested by the greenpeach aphid (Myzus persicae) are treated by being sprayed with thepreparation of the active compound of the desired concentration.

After the specified period of time, mortality in % is determined 100%means all the aphids have been killed; 0% means none of the aphids havebeen killed. The mortality values determined thus are recalculated usingthe Colby-formula.

According to the present application in this test e.g. the followingcombinations of the gougerotin containing formulated product with atleast one insecticide is greater than the calculated activity, i.e. asynergistic effect is present. This also indicates that the activityshows a synergistic effect in comparison to the single compounds:

TABLE 9 Myzus persicae - test Active Ingredient or Gougerotin Componentof Concentration Efficacy Active Ingredient in ppm in % after 2^(d) NRRLB-50550 25 0 Gougerotin 0.636 Thiacloprid 0.5 40 obs.* cal.** NRRLB-50550 + Thiacloprid  25 + 0.5 75 40 (50:1) Gougerotin + Thiacloprid0.636 + 0.5  (1.3:1) according to the invention

TABLE 10 Myzus persicae - test Concentration Efficacy Active Ingredientin ppm in % after 3^(d) NRRL B-50550 25 0 Thiacloprid 0.5 20 obs.*cal.** NRRL B-50550 + 25 + 0.5 50 20 Thiacloprid (50:1) according to theinvention

TABLE 11 Myzus persicae - test Active Ingredient or Gougerotin Componentof Concentration Efficacy Active Ingredient in ppm in % after 7^(d) NRRLB-50550 25 0 Gougerotin 0.636 Thiacloprid 0.5 10 obs.* cal.** NRRLB-50550 + Thiacloprid  25 + 0.5 50 10 (50:1) Gougerotin + Thiacloprid0.636 + 0.5  (1.3:1) according to the invention *obs. = observedinsecticidal efficacy, **cal. = efficacy calculated with Colby-formula

1. A composition comprising a) isolated gougerotin of the formula

and b) at least one insecticide in a synergistically effective amountwith the proviso that the at least one insecticide is not gougerotin. 2.The composition according to claim 1, wherein the fungicide is asynthetic fungicide.
 3. The composition according to claim 1, whereinsaid insecticide is selected from the group consisting of Abamectin,Acephate, Acetamiprid, Acrinathrin, Alpha-Cypermethrin, Beta-Cyfluthrin,Bifenthrin, Buprofezin, Clothianidin, Chlorantraniliprole, Chlorfenapyr,Chlorpyrifos, Carbofuran, Cyantraniliprole, Cyenopyrafen, Cyflumentofen,Cyfluthrin, Cypermethrin, Deltamethrin, Diafenthiuron, Dinotefuran,Emamectin-benzoate, Ethiprole, Fenpyroximate, Fipronil, Flometoquin,Flubendiamide, Fluensulfone, Fluopyram, Flupyradifurone,Gamma-Cyhalothrin, Imidacloprid, Indoxacarb, Lambda-Cyhalothrin,Lufenuron, Metaflumizone, Methiocarb, Methoxyfenozide, Milbemectin,Profenofos, Pyflubumide, Pyrifluquinazone, Spinetoram, Spinosad,Spirodiclofen, Spiromesifen, Spirotetramate, Sulfoxaflor, Tebufenpyrad,Tefluthrin, Thiacloprid, Thiamethoxam, Thiodicarb, Triflumuron,1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-tetrazol-1-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide,1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-tetrazol-2-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide,1-{2-fluoro-4-methyl-5-[(2,2,2-trifluorethyl)sulfinyl]phenyl}-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-amineand Afidopyropen.
 4. The composition according to claim 1, wherein saidinsecticide is selected from the group consisting of Methiocarb,Thiodicarb, Fipronil, β-Cyfluthrin, Tefluthrin, Clothianidin,Imidacloprid, Thiacloprid, Sulfoxaflor, Spinetoram, Spinosad,Chlorantraniliprole, Cyantraniliprole, Flubendiamide,1-{2-fluoro-4-methyl-5-[(2,2,2-trifluorethyl)sulfinyl]phenyl}-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-amine(I277) and1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-tetrazol-2-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide.5. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising at least onefungicide, with the proviso that the fungicide is not gougerotin.
 6. Thecomposition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one insecticideis spiromesifen.
 7. The composition according to claim 5, wherein thefungicide is selected from the group consisting of inhibitors of theergosterol biosynthesis, inhibitors of the respiratory chain at complexI or II, inhibitors of the respiratory chain at complex III, inhibitorsof the mitosis and cell division, compounds capable to induce a hostdefense, inhibitors of the amino acid and/or protein biosynthesis,inhibitors of the ATP production, inhibitors of the cell wall synthesis,inhibitors of the lipid and membrane synthesis, inhibitors of themelanine biosynthesis, inhibitors of the nucleic acid synthesis,inhibitors of the signal transduction, and compounds capable to act asan uncoupler.
 8. The composition according to claim 1 additionallycomprising at least one auxiliary selected from the group consisting ofextenders, solvents, spontaneity promoters, carriers, emulsifiers,dispersants, frost protectants, thickeners and adjuvants.
 9. A seedtreated with the composition according to claim
 1. 10. A seed accordingto claim 9, wherein the insecticide in the composition is selected fromthe group consisting of Abamectin, B. firmus, Carbofuran, Clothianidin,Cyazypyr, Cycloxaprid, Cypermethrin, Ethiprole, Fipronil, Fluopyram,Imidacloprid, Methiocarb, Rynaxypyr, Spinosad, Spiromesifen,Sulfoxaflor, Tefluthrin, Thiametoxam, and Thiodicarb. 11-13. (canceled)14. A method for reducing overall damage of plants and plant parts aswell as losses in harvested fruits or vegetables caused by insects,mites, nematodes and/or phytopathogens comprising the step ofsimultaneously or sequentially applying a) isolated gougerotin; b) atleast one insecticide selected from the group consisting of Abamectin,Acephate, Acetamiprid, Acrinathrin, Alpha-Cypermethrin, Beta-Cyfluthrin,Bifenthrin, Buprofezin, Clothianidin, Chlorantraniliprole, Chlorfenapyr,Chlorpyrifos, Carbofuran, Cyantraniliprole, Cyenopyrafen, Cyflumentofen,Cyfluthrin, Cypermethrin, Deltamethrin, Diafenthiuron, Dinotefuran,Emamectin-benzoate, Ethiprole, Fenpyroximate, Fipronil, Flometoquin,Flubendiamide, Fluensulfone, Fluopyram, Flupyradifurone,Gamma-Cyhalothrin, Imidacloprid, Indoxacarb, Lambda-Cyhalothrin,Lufenuron, Metaflumizone, Methiocarb, Methoxyfenozide, Milbemectin,Profenofos, Pyflubumide, Pyrifluquinazone, Spinetoram, Spinosad,Spirodiclofen, Spiromesifen, Spirotetramate, Sulfoxaflor, Tebufenpyrad,Tefluthrin, Thiacloprid, Thiamethoxam, Thiodicarb, Triflumuron,1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-tetrazol-1-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide,1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-tetrazol-2-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide,1-{2-fluoro-4-methyl-5-[(2,2,2-trifluorethyl)sulfinyl]phenyl}-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-amineand Afidopyropen; and c) optionally at least one fungicide on the plant,plant parts, harvested fruits, vegetables and/or plant's locus of growthin a synergistically effective amount, with the proviso that the atleast one fungicide is not gougerotin.
 15. The method according to claim14, wherein the optional fungicide is a synthetic fungicide.
 16. Thecomposition according to claim 5, wherein the fungicide is selected fromthe group consisting of binapacryl, dinocap, ferimzone, fluazinam,meptyldinocap, benthiazole, bethoxazin, capsimycin, carvone,chinomethionat, pyriofenone (chlazafenone), cufraneb, cyflufenamid,cymoxanil, cyprosulfamide, dazomet, debacarb, dichlorophen, diclomezine,difenzoquat, difenzoquat methylsulphate, diphenylamine, ecomate,fenpyrazamine, flumetover, fluoroimide, flusulfamide, flutianil,fosetyl-aluminium, fosetyl-calcium, fosetyl-sodium, hexachlorobenzene,irumamycin, methasulfocarb, methyl isothiocyanate, metrafenone,mildiomycin, natamycin, nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate,nitrothal-isopropyl, octhilinone, oxamocarb, oxyfenthiin,pentachlorophenol and salts, phenothrin, phosphorous acid and its salts,propamocarb-fosetylate, propanosine-sodium, proquinazid, pyrimorph,(2E)-3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-3-(2-chloropyridin-4-yl)-1-(morpholin-4-yl)prop-2-en-1-one,(2Z)-3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-3-(2-chloropyridin-4-yl)-1-(morpholin-4-yl)prop-2-en-1-one,pyrrolnitrine, tebufloquin, tecloftalam, tolnifanide, triazoxide,trichlamide, zarilamid,(3S,6S,7R,8R)-8-benzyl-3-[({3-Risobutyryloxy)methoxy]-4-methoxypyridin-2-yl}carbonyl)aminol-6-methyl-4,9-dioxo-1,5-dioxonan-7-yl2-methylpropanoate,1-(4-{4-[(5R)-5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)-2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]ethanone,1-(4-{4-[(5S)-5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)-2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]ethanone,1-(4-{4-[5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)-2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]ethanone,1-(4-methoxyphenoxy)-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-yl 1H-imidazole-1-carboxylate,2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-4-(methylsulfonyl)pyridine,2,3-dibutyl-6-chlorothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one,2,6-dimethyl-1H,5H-[1,4]dithiino[2,3-c:5,6-c′]dipyrrole-1,3,5,7(2H,6H)-tetrone,2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-1-(4-{4-[(5R)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)ethanone,2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-1-(4-{4-[(5S)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)ethanone,2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-1-{4-[4-(5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl)-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]piperidin-1-yl}ethanone,2-butoxy-6-iodo-3-propyl-4H-chromen-4-one,2-chloro-5-[2-chloro-1-(2,6-difluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl]pyridine,2-phenylphenol and salts,3-(4,4,5-trifluoro-3,3-dimethyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1-yl)quinolone,3,4,5-trichloropyridine-2,6-dicarbonitrile,3-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-1,2-oxazolidin-3-yl]pyridine,3-chloro-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-6-methylpyridazine,4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-3,6-dimethylpyridazine,5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol,5-chloro-N′-phenyl-N′-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)thiophene-2-sulfonohydrazide,5-fluoro-2-[(4-fluorobenzyl)oxy]pyrimidin-4-amine,5-fluoro-2-[(4-methylbenzyl)oxy]pyrimidin-4-amine,5-methyl-6-octyl[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine, ethyl(2Z)-3-amino-2-cyano-3-phenylprop-2-enoate,N′-(4-{[3-(4-chlorobenzyl)-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl]oxy}-2,5-dimethylphenyl)-N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide,N-(4-chlorobenzyl)-3-[3-methoxy-4-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)phenyl]propanamide,N-[(4-chlorophenyl)(cyano)methyl]-3-[3-methoxy-4-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)phenyl]propanamide,N-[(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)methyl]-2,4-dichloropyridine-3-carboxamide,N-[1-(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-2,4-dichloropyridine-3-carboxamide,N-[1-(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-2-fluoro-4-iodopyridine-3-carboxamide,N-{(E)-[(cyclopropylmethoxy)imino][6-(difluoromethoxy)-2,3-difluorophenyl]methyl}-2-phenylacetamide,N-{(Z)-[(cyclopropylmethoxy)imino][6-(difluoromethoxy)-2,3-difluorophenyl]methyl}-2-phenylacetamide,N′-{4-[(3-tert-butyl-4-cyano-1,2-thiazol-5-yl)oxy]-2-chloro-5-methylphenyl}-N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide,N-methyl-2-(1-{[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetyl}piperidin-4-yl)-N-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl)-1,3-thiazole-4-carboxamide,N-methyl-2-(1-{[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetyl}piperidin-4-yl)-N-[(1R)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl]-1,3-thiazole-4-carboxamide,N-methyl-2-(1-{[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetyl}piperidin-4-yl)-N-[(1S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl]-1,3-thiazole-4-carboxamide,pentyl{6-[({[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)(phenyl)methylidene]amino}oxy)methyl]pyridin-2-yl}carbamate,phenazine-1-carboxylic acid, quinolin-8-ol, quinolin-8-ol sulfate (2:1),tert-butyl{6-[({[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)(phenyl)methylene]amino}oxy)methyl]pyridin-2-yl}carbamate,1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-N-[2′-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-(4′-chlorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-(2′,4′-dichlorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-N-[4′-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-(2′,5′-difluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-N-[4′-(prop-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-N-[4′-(prop-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,2-chloro-N-[4′-(prop-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]pyridine-3-carboxamide,3-(difluoromethyl)-N-[4′-(3,3-dimethylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-[4′-(3,3-dimethylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,3-(difluoromethyl)-N-(4′-ethynylbiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-(4′-ethynylbiphenyl-2-yl)-5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,2-chloro-N-(4′-ethynylbiphenyl-2-yl)pyridine-3-carboxamide,2-chloro-N-[4′-(3,3-dimethylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]pyridine-3-carboxamide,4-(difluoromethyl)-2-methyl-N-[4′-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,5-fluoro-N-[4′-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,2-chloro-N-[4′-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]pyridine-3-carboxamide,3-(difluoromethyl)-N-[4′-(3-methoxy-3-methylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,5-fluoro-N-[4′-(3-methoxy-3-methylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,2-chloro-N-[4′-(3-methoxy-3-methylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]pyridine-3-carboxamide,(5-bromo-2-methoxy-4-methylpyridin-3-yl)(2,3,4-trimethoxy-6-methylphenyl)methanone,N-[2-(4-{[3-(4-chlorophenyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl]oxy}-3-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-N2-(methylsulfonyl)valinamide4-oxo-4-[(2-phenylethyl)amino]butanoic acid, but-3-yn-1-yl{6-[({[(Z)-(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)(phenyl)methylene]amino}oxy)methyl]pyridin-2-yl}carbamate,4-Amino-5-fluoropyrimidin-2-ol, propyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate andoryzastrobin.